Help with dating a older Model 70
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openlake
Well-Known Member
Definitely not a pre 1964 production. The "Classic" action was introduced in the early 90's. Although it has a claw extractor the rest of the action is quite different from the pre 1964 design. Still great. Look at the barrel and see where it was made, New Haven, Portugal, South Carolina. Nice rifle.
Ill look this evening.
Tidus56
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Beat me by 14 minutes. I saw the way he titled it and couldn't wait, but you had already beat me to the punch line lol
The age like milk!
The combination of serial number Gxxxxx and name Classic, I am willing to bet its made in New Haven. The South Carolina and Portugal numbering system is different. The low five digits after G most likely early. If I am correct, Classic was introduced in 1991 or 1992. Also the "Classic" only appears in New Haven Made models. Not after the facility closed.
Bret GRAVELINE Graveline
Well-Known Member
Your gun is indeed manufactured in the 90's, Winchester did not produce the controlled round feed after 64, from that time on thru the early 90's everything was the push feed model, you rifle gas the the claw extracted which is the lush feed modelIts 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
The rifle is no older than 1992, that is when Winchester released the "Pre-64 type" controlled round feed actions in post 64 rifles.
According the Midwest Gun Works:
"Records for rifles produced after 1992 have not been released. However you can call Winchester Firearms directly to inquire about the date of production on your rifle. Winchester can be reached directly at 800-333-3288.
It is a Corntol Feed
Rhett Crider
Well-Known Member
I believe the CRF and/or Classic came back when New Haven production started.
daerhldgs2
Member
Winchester went back to controlled round feeding in 1968 , as such this rifle will not be older than 1968. The stock design came out in about 1964 and has carried through to todays rifles.
Based on the knurling on the bolt handle, I'd say it is an 80's 90's version of the M70
Here is some other information I found that might help.
All pre-64 Model 70's are in the range 1 - 581471, production ended in October 1963.
Push-feed (Post-64) Model 70's began with serial number 700000 on 1 OCT 1963.
The "G" prefix was applied in compliance with federal regulations resulting from the Gun Control Act of 1968; no duplicate firearm serial numbers could be produced by a manufacturer. Winchester added a letter prefix to the existing serial number range for each model. There is confusion about exactly when and at what number the "G" was first applied. Rule states it happened at serial number 1,028,077 on August 25, 1971. DeHass states that it happened at serial number 866,000 in 1968 concurrent with the improvements of 1968, notably the guide lug on the bolt. I believe the DeHass assertion is why some think the �G� prefix was established by WRA to denote the introduction of the guide lug. The Blue Book states serial number G941900 in 1969. I know DeHass is incorrect; I have seen (and owned one) high 870,000 series and there are reported low 900,000 series Model 70's without the "G" prefix. I also think Rule is wrong, you can find high number 900,000 series rifles with the "G" prefix (G969XXX is on GunBroker right now). Blue Book may be the closest to being correct in this case.
Two representative serial numbers (owned or documented):
870082 30-06 SPRG, mfg 1968
G987774 458 WIN MAG, mfg 1970
The original "G" prefix serial number series continued on push-feed Model 70's right up to the end of production in 2005/2006. The real confusion comes from the re-introduced pre-64 (long extractor) design beginning in the custom shop circa 1989, then with the re-introduced Super Grades in the early 1990's, and finally with the Classics around 1993. USRAC began numbering the new �pre-64� Classics beginning with number 1 again, but this time with the "G" prefix. They were able to issue from number 1 through about number 900,000 +/-, without fear of duplicate serial number, until reaching the first (circa 1969) "G" prefix serial numbers. At that time the Classic serial numbers merged into the existing series of serial numbers (push-feed, control round push-feed {CRPF}, and Classics all numbered in the same sequence).
Good luck, Cheers
KS2506
Well-Known Member
Some of the above posters have no idea what they are talking about. That gun in the picture is definitely a Classic FWT which manufacture of started in '92 or 3. Serial number would probably indicate manufacture in 1st or 2nd year. I had a collection of 25 of them including several custom shop rifles. I thought they were the best model 70's ever built. You might find the exact date by joining the Winchester Collectors ***. However, I think they charge a fee for a letter.
