Dad’s Pre-1964 Model 70 Winchesters

For father’s day I thought I’d take a break from my usual stuff and post my father’s hunting rifles. They were not collectables when he was alive, but they are now. The iconic gun that became known as “the rifleman’s rifle” has developed a huge following, and the pre-‘64s now command a premium.

Winchester first rolled out the model 70 in 1936. The rifle quickly won over sportsmen, and gained a legendary reputation. Unfortunately it was expensive to manufacture and required a lot of hand fitting. So in 1964 Winchester made a number of modifications to keep the price competitive with Remington and Savage sporting rifles then on the market. The previously cut checkering became pressed in checkering. The action was modified and the feed and ejection were changed. Sportsmen and sportswriters were highly critical of the new model 70s, and the pre-64s became highly sought after as time passed.

The rifle in the first photo and identifiable by the black forearm tip in the other photos is dad’s Model 70 Super Grade, originally in .30-06. The Super Grade has a jeweled bolt, fancy grade walnut stock with a raised cheek piece, and deluxe wrap around checkering.

When times got tough dad had to sell his really big game rifle, a Mk IV .300 Weatherby Magnum. Then, dad learned he had terminal cancer. With only a short time left he decided to fulfill a life’s dream and changed jobs to work in Alaska so that he could see the place (and hunt there) before he died. He felt the .30-06 was underpowered for Alaskan moose and bear, so he had this model 70 re-bored for the .300 Weatherby Magnum cartridge.

The other rifle is a model 70 Featherweight in .243 Winchester. It was actually purchased for my mother, but mom never went hunting except with dad, and I’ve always considered both rifles my inheritance from him. On one hunting trip, mom lost this rifle down a ravine and damaged the stock. The unique burl wood forearm tip and matching grip cap are dad’s handiwork, replacing parts of the damaged stock.

For those unfamiliar with these cartridges, the fourth photo shows, left to right, the .243 Winchester, the 30-06, and .300 Weatherby Magnum side by side.

Dad refinished his rifles with linseed and tung oil, and re-oiled his stocks after every hunting season. Unfortunately I have not maintained his rifles in the same way, but the finish is still much better than most vintage sporting rifles. The scope on the Super Grade, which I found with some of dad’s other things, is pretty scared up. The scope on the other rifle is vintage, but purchased by me as both rifles had been fitted with scope mounts.

Dad did a lot of his own custom work on the rifles and the barrels actually float. A dollar bill can be slid between the barrel and the stock and slide easily down to the receiver. The re-worked trigger has a crisp and incredibly light pull. The rifles have quick detach swivels and Model 1907-style civilian slings.

Dad, you had so much left to teach me.