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Help with dating a older Model 70

Cookie114

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2019
Messages
839
Location
Georgia
I have a older model 70 Classic FWT in 270Win that I cant seem to find the manu date for. Ive been on google but it tells me 1947 and Im pretty certain its not that old. It does have the red butt pad and claw extractor.
 

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Post 64 70s have been made in push feed, push controlled round feed, and controlled round feed with that 'claw' extractor, like yours has. The Post 64 "Classic" models are fashioned like the Pre 64 model rifles, they have the "claw" extractor. Hence, the "Classic" designation, as the Pre 64 Winchester Model 70s are often called and considered a classics firearm, because of the time in which they were made. You have a Post 64 Featherweight Classic. FN bought the Winchester name and some of their rifles were made in Portugal, and now they have a manufacturing plant in South Carolina. The FN made rifles don't have the "G" prefixed serial number.
 
 
Not intentional but to further muddy the water my date of manufacture books say that G was placed in front of serial # after 1968
and that serial #'s started in 1969 with G925909. Also states that serial # 69887 would have been manufactured in 1947.
Yes it is confusing.

This kind of poor record keeping or mixing parts or whatever (?) is not uncommon. Many Winchester models were not serialized until the 1960's.

Nonetheless those firearms are worthy and I hope you enjoy using yours for years to come.

Tommy
 
Not intentional but to further muddy the water my date of manufacture books say that G was placed in front of serial # after 1968
and that serial #'s started in 1969 with G925909. Also states that serial # 69887 would have been manufactured in 1947.
Yes it is confusing.

This kind of poor record keeping or mixing parts or whatever (?) is not uncommon. Many Winchester models were not serialized until the 1960's.

Nonetheless those firearms are worthy and I hope you enjoy using yours for years to come.

Tommy
Its definitely a cluster **** trying date a Winchester rifle. I was looking to sale it because its just to nice of a safe queen for me. I figure some potential buyer would probably be curious of the year. Which I now have it narrowed down to a 60s,70s,80s or 90s manufactur date 😬
 
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