Guns International #: 101558538

Category - Military Rifles - US - Benchrest and Target Rifles

Category
Military Rifles - US
Benchrest and Target Rifles

Winchester Model 70 Target Rifle U.S. Property marked

Description:
Scarce U.S. Property Marked Winchester Model 70 Bolt Action Target Rifle, #398600, .30-06 cal., 24'' medium weight barrel, blue finish. Dovetailed scope blocks are mounted to the barrel and receiver; left side of receiver with sight base. One-piece pistol-grip walnut target stock with checkered steel buttplate, sling swivels, six-position hand-stop. Left side of barrel is marked ''MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S. OF AMERICA - WINCHESTER - MODEL-70 - 30-06 SPFLD-/ -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL - TRADEMARK - ''. Left side of barrel and receiver are both Winchester proofed; receiver is electro-penciled ''U.S. PROPERTY''. Bolt body is electro-penciled with matching serial number ''398600''. Mfg'd 1957. Condition overall is near excellent with approx. 96% original finish remaining. Metal with a few intermittent light scratches and small handling marks, factory lettering is clear with crisp edges. Matte finished receiver with a small spot of finish loss on left side near the ''Winchester Trademark''. Stock is very nice for its age, showing a very small amount of light handling marks; most noticeable being on the front of the grip and slight checkered impressions to left side near the upper tang; finish on right side of forend has thinned and faded a bit. Edges of the buttplate as well as some spots on the checkering with moderate surface rust and should clean to improve; as is detracts little. Action and bolt mounted safety operate smoothly. Bolt face, bore, and chamber area are all very clean, rifling is excellent. U.S. Property marked rifles from this era were used most notably by Vietnam era snipers as well as military shooting teams and are considered scarce.
The left side of the matt-finished receiver is roll-stamped: "WINCHESTER/TRADE MARK" in two lines. The underside of the bolt is electro-penciled with the rifle serial number "398600". Purchased for Marine Corps and Army rifle teams during the 1950s, the Model 70 Target Model Rifles were utilized as sniper rifles by both the Army and Marines during the Vietnam War. Page 165 of "THE COMPLETE BOOK OF U.S. SNIPING" by Peter R. Senich shows 3rd Marine Division snipers with firing Model 70 Target Model rifles on the range at Da Nang, Vietnam, in January 1966. On page 163 Senich describes how the 3rd Marine Division Rifle Team Model 70 rifles with target stocks were shipped to Vietnam for issue to Marine snipers. Army and Marine use of Model 70 Target Model rifles is also documented by Senich in "THE LONG RANGE WAR" and "ONE SHOT WAR". Due to their extensive use as sniper rifles during the Vietnam War, examples of U.S. marked, 1950s production, Model 70 Target Model rifles are rare.
Wear at muzle is very little.  A .30 caliber wear guage shows less than 1.  See pictures.
10 lbs. 12 oz.
13 1/4" LOP
$6,550.00 

SOLD

Curio/Relic: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 70
Serial Number: 398600
Barrel Length: 24
Chambers: Near Excellent
Ejectors: Near Excellent
Condition: Near Excellent
Metal Condition: Near Excellent
Wood Condition: Very Good
Bore Condition: Excellent
Manufacture Date: 1957