SOLD: Winchester 70 pre-64 .30 gov't '06

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$925 Shipped from my FFL to your FFL,  Cashiers Check, USPS MO, Credit Card +3%

A cool old pre-64 Winchester Model 70 with a story to tell...

It's story starts in 1948, from my research on the serial number.   Then there is a big gap in that story until our paths crossed last year. 

The only known history of this rifle begins in a local pawn shop.  I saw something I slightly recognized, but thought to myself, No.  God, No.  Noooooo.   Please don't let it be...  What I saw was a rifle that resembled what you are seeing in the pictures, except the stock was painted with a thick layer of calf-scour yellow textured paint.  I picked it up and realized it only got better.  It seems Mr. "hold my beer while I paint this rifle" also had a puppy, and that puppy liked the taste of paint chips mixed with fine walnut.

Owing this rifle a better home, I made them an offer and ended up taking it home.  I was more up for a challenge back then without so much paying work lined up. The first quest was to see if there was anything under the paint worth saving.  I started on the buttstock, stripping the paint off and what I immediately saw made me keep going, removing that hideous stuff the best I could.   This is where I am really holding back not typing what I was yelling in the shop that night.  How could anybody look at that piece of walnut and say to them self "I need to go to Home Depot and get some of that textured paint."  Bubba, if you are reading this, you need help.  You've obviously painted a few too many stocks without a respirator.  Set that can down and back away.

So what was left is what you see.  The stock was stripped down to the walnut, with significant success, but there is some evidence of the paint in the wood grain and checkering.  I then sanded it back to a smooth finish and did a hand rubbed Tung oil finish.  The result is nice, except for some paint residue in the checkering and the dog's damage.  Obviously, this isn't going to impress the serious collector.

The metal, surprisingly, is in much better shape.  Bubba's dad must have had some oil and a bit of sense!  There was a bit of surface rust on one spot on the barrel, but it cleaned up well.  The bolt and action are in good shape and have matching numbers.  The bore is nice and clean.  The rear sight is missing.  The front sight is in tact but does not have the hood.  The recoil pad that was on it wasn't original, and was dried up and cracked like many of the old ones are and is probably now being chewed on by a coyote at the landfill.   The Redfield base and rings are included, but the ring cap screws got the best Bubba could give them as well.  I think one is even missing.  So, there you have it: the best explanation and honest representation of this thing I can give.

I am presenting this rifle as a shooter grade pre-64, chambered for the old faithful .30 Gov't 06 Cartridge. How cool is that roll mark??? You get the smile from hunting with a classic rifle and a classic cartridge, but if you slide down a canyon wall with it, you are probably going to worry about the blood coming from the back of your head more than another ding on the stock.  All it really needs to go on a hunt this fall is the recoil pad of your choice.  Alternatively, you are buying a barreled action to put in a stock with less teeth marks, or an action for your next custom. 

I have not fired this rifle, so can not speak about how it shoots.  Why?  I never decided what to do for a recoil pad.  Speaking of that, I can install the one of choice for the buyer before I ship it if desired.