Make: Winchester

Model: Model 70 Super Grade

Serial Number: 74249

Year of Manufacture: 1947

Caliber: .220 Swift

Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle, Internal Box Magazine

Barrel Length: 26”

Sights / Optics: This rifle is equipped with a Lyman receiver-mounted aperture sight affixed to the rear bridge for precise target adjustment. The front sight is a hooded beaded blade mounted on a serrated ramp base. The original rear sight dovetail has been filled, consistent with setup for peep sight use.

Stock Configuration & Condition: This Super Grade is stocked in hand-checkered walnut with a straight comb, cheekpiece, ebony forend tip, steel-capped pistol grip, and two sling swivels. The stock is capped with a red rubber recoil pad in place of the original metal buttplate. The wood is free of cracks or chips and remains well-fit to the action, rating in about Fine condition overall.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion or fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains approximately 98% of its current metal finish. The refinishing was done with care—edges remain crisp and the flats are clean, though minor polishing marks are evident under magnification. The bolt body is polished and jeweled in classic pre-64 Winchester fashion. The screw heads are sharp and the markings, though slightly softened, are still legible. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine-Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action cycles smoothly and locks up tight. The trigger is crisp, and the safety engages as expected. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Our Assessment: Few American sporting rifles evoke the same reverence as the pre-64 Winchester Model 70, and fewer still match the refinement of the Super Grade. Dubbed “The Rifleman’s Rifle,” the Model 70 set the gold standard for bolt-action design, and this example—chambered in the blistering .220 Swift—is a stellar specimen from the post-war renaissance of Winchester production.

Manufactured in 1947, this rifle sits in the golden age of Winchester craftsmanship. The .220 Swift, introduced in 1935, was the world’s first commercial cartridge to break 4,000 feet per second, making it a legendary choice for varmint and precision shooting. The 26” barrel maximizes its velocity, while the Lyman peep sight and jeweled bolt reflect a rifle designed for both accuracy and elegance.

Though it has been refinished, the work was tastefully executed and preserves the rifle’s presentation-grade appeal. For collectors seeking a sharp-shooting Super Grade or a high-velocity classic to anchor a Winchester lineup, this beautifully preserved Model 70 offers history, performance, and timeless American style.