Make: Winchester

Model: 70 Super Grade Carbine

Serial Number: 45752

Year of Manufacture: 1942

Caliber: 7mm Mauser (7x57mm)

Action Type: Internal Magazine-Fed Bolt Action Rifle

Barrel Length: 20”

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed into a hooded, textured, ramped base integral to the barrel. There is a dovetailed boss at the rear of the barrel, currently empty. The receiver has a Buehler mount holding a Bausch & Lomb BALfor 4x scope with crosshair reticle, the mount is used for elevation and windage adjustment. The mount appears to use the standard chamber ring mounting holes, multiple holes have been drilled and tapped in the bridge. The scope shows scattered light wear with fairly clear glass. The left-rear of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for a receiver sight (none present).

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is one-piece checkered walnut with an ebony forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb with cheekpiece, checkered steel buttplate and sling mounts inlaid front and rear. The stock has scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few small, but more notable dings. There is some finish loss around the nose, including on the ebony cap. The stock appears to have been relieved around the receiver tang, extending slightly into the checkering in the top of the wrist. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 1/2" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with some finish in the well defined checkering. Overall, the stock is in about Very Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original, the bolt is serial-matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 8/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is light wear at the muzzle. There is some scattered minor wear in the receiver. The bottom metal has scattered wear. There are some light nicks and scratches, most in the bottom metal. The action shows operational wear and there is handling wear in the bolt knob. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This rifle comes with the installed scope.

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 70 is an iconic American sporting rifle that has been a staple of hunters for more than 80 years; reliable, robust, and accurate, it is one of the benchmarks by which all bolt action rifles are measured. It has more than earned its nickname of “The Riflemans Rifle“, a true icon. This is a pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 Super Grade Carbine that is chambered in 7mm Mauser. This is a quite scarce variant, the Carbines made up about 1.25% of Pre-64 Model 70 production, Super Grade Carbines and there were only about 1,470 of any configuration chambered for the 7mm Mauser.

This rare variant has a '41 date code on its barrel, also marked "7 M/M" just in front of its 1942 receiver. The stock has been relieved behind the receiver tang, a common place for cracks or chips to start, and the bridge has been drilled and tapped to install the vintage Bausch & Lomb scope. The gun looks to have been put to its intended purpose, and who can blame the original owner! This is a beautiful rifle chambered for a versatile and soft-recoiling hunting cartridge. It's likely taken its share of game over the last 80 years. This pre-64 Model 70 Super Grade Carbine will take a prized place in any collection and likely has several more hunting seasons left in it. Please see our photos and good luck!