Winchester Pre 64 Model 70 Information

Bolt action rifle, made in Short Rifle (Carbine), Standard, Featherweight, Magnum, Varmit, Super Grade or Match versions.
Introduced in 1935 but not sold until 1937 starting at S/N 1 & made to up 1963 at S/N 581,471 for the pre-64 versions.  

Cataloged calibers were, 22 Hornet, 220 Swift, 243 Win., 250 Savage, 257 Roberts, 264 Win Mag. 270 Win., 7x57mm Mauser, 7.65 Argentine, 300 Savage, 308 Win., 30-06, 300 H&H magnum, 300 Win. Mag. 338 Win Mag. 35 Remington, 358 Win. 9x97 mm, 375 H&H magnum, 458 Win. magnum

These guns were made in carbine, (20"), featherweight, (22"), standard (24"), magnum & varmit (26") barrels.  The carbine & standard barrels had a raised ring, (boss) at the rear sight dovetail so that the dovetail was above the normal slot cut in the barrel.  The featherweight & varmit barrels did not have the rear sight boss. The breech end of the barrel copied the 1903 Springfield coned breech.

All guns other than the target versions used a barrel with an integral front ramp until 1955 when the ramps were silver soldered on.

Sling swivels were the standard non-detachable bows for the standard grade.

Buttplates were a forged checkered steel with a lip on top, until later when they were black plastic.

All the stocks were walnut &  were hand checkered, except some match guns which were plain.

The non magnum caliber magazines held 5 rounds.  The steel hinged magazine cover was held in place at the rear by a plunger that was housed inside the front of the guard bow, (trigger guard).

Triggers were simple, but adjustable.

There were 3 different types of safeties  used on these guns. The original spatula thumb piece which blocked the line of sight for iron sights in the safe position & had to be moved to the left to fire.  The transition & others thereafter will swing to the right or the muzzle to fire.  

The pre-64 was only made in a "long" action, as when using shorter calibers, the magazine box had spacers added in either the rear or front, or both to allow feeding. A filler (spacer) block was added to the extractor ring that acted as a bolt stop & was made different lengths to accommodate each caliber other than the standard (30-06 & magnums). The ejector was made longer to compensate for shorter calibers.

Pre-War:
The "Pre-War" (up to early 1942) version had a cloverleaf rear tang & was made from s/n 1 to about s/n 60,500

The bolt shrouds on the pre-war will be flat on top and the transition model will be round.

The bolt handle on the pre-war will have a 90 degree step at the base and the transition does not.

The pre-war will have clip slots at the front of the rear receiver bridge on all of the standard actions. The transition model has the clip slots on the target rifles in 30-06 only or by special order.

The rear bridge on the pre-war has no original holes in the recessed and matted wavy line area. It does have (2) peep sight holes on the LH side of the rear receiver. Scope mounts in that era used a rear base that was made to use these peep sight holes on the side. 

Transition guns:
The "Transition" was then made from 1945 until 1951 from approximately s/n 60,500 - 87,700 on the standard action and s/n 63,200 - 121,700 for the magnum action.  The reason for this is that it appears there was 2 assembly lines. The carbines were discontinued about 1947.

The transition safety lever was changed to swing to the muzzle to fire. These 3 position safeties had an abbreviated lever that did not hang lower than the top of the sleeve.

The transition version has two holes on the rear bridge with a space of  .865 center to center, and no recessed wavy line area.

The "Later" pre-64 version went up into late 1963 & ended at s/n 581,471.  It's safety had a extension protruding over the side of the sleeve & could have been called a full safety lever

There was supposed to be a gap in serial numbers between the ending of the "Pre 64" at s/n 581,471, and the new "Post 64" guns that started at s/n 700,000. 

Featherweight:
The Featherweight was introduced in 1952 &  used a shorter barrel, 22", with no rear sight hump, & the guard bow (trigger guard) & magazine cover were made of black annodized aluminum.  The buttplate was also aluminum.  The stock had 2 holes drilled about 7" deep under the buttplate.  All other metal parts interchanged with the standard gun.

The Super Grade:
The Super grade guns had a sling swivel similar to the now commonly known Quick Take-Down type only they were about ½" wide at the base. The bows were made of a crude casting. Very late SG guns & factory replacement parts, used a narrower base that is compatible with the common QD bases. The magazine cover has "SUPER GRADE" stamped in the outside of the cover. The front sight was a Redfield sourdough. Wood was a higher grade than was found on the standard grade guns. There was a grip cap on these versions.

Westerner:
The Westerner was available in either the 264 or 300 Win. Mag. with a 26" barrel.

Alaskan:
The Alaskan could be had in either a 338 Win mag. or the 375 H&H mag.  It came with a 25" barrel.

African:
The Afican was available only in the 458 Win Mag with a 25" barrel.

Serial Numbers for date manufactured for pre-64 guns

Cutaway Diagram of the Winchester Pre 64 Model 70 prewar action

POST 64 GUNS:
  These guns are covered on a separate article, CLICK HERE.

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Originated 11-29-2004, Last updated 12/31/2005
LeeRoy Wisner

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