Make: Winchester

Model: 70 Standard Rifle, Catalog No. G7001C

Serial Number: 28562

Year of Manufacture: 1940

Caliber: .22 Hornet

Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine

Barrel Length: 24” Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed into a hooded, textured, ramped base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a "U"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel, the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top and left side of the receiver are drilled, tapped, and filled. Only the receiver has been drilled, tapped, and filled, not the top bridge.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece checkered walnut with a pistol grip, fluted straight comb, sling swivels at the front and rear, and a checkered steel buttplate. The checkering is sharp. There are a couple light handling and storage marks. The LOP measures 13 5/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. This stock rates in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

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

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The metal shows some light scratches. The barrel shows a few light freckles. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.

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

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 70, known as the “Rifleman’s Rifle”, is one of the most iconic American sporting rifles ever made. It was introduced in 1936 as Winchester’s new and significantly improved bolt-action rifle chambered in big calibers, firing high velocity cartridges capable of taking big game, and for use in so-called big-bore target matches. The Model 70 has been prized by hunters and shooters alike for nearly 90 years, and is one of the benchmarks by which all bolt action rifles are measured. Pre-64 examples of the Winchester Model 70 are held in particularly high esteem.

This Pre-War Winchester Model 70 Standard Rifle was made in 1940 and is chambered in .22 Hornet. The .22 Hornet is an effective short-range fox or vermin cartridge that is relatively inexpensive and quiet, and for this design, the chambering is also fairly scarce, comprising about 3.5% of all pre-64 Model 70 production. This example is in Excellent condition, showing little use. While this would still make a great hunting rifle, with its scarce caliber and high condition, this pre-war Model 70 would be an even better addition to a Winchester collection.