Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Target G7048C .220 Swift Bolt Rifle, 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3800
LSB#: 210615WG01
Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Target Model, Catalog No. G7048C
Serial Number: 49851
Year of Manufacture: 1943
Caliber: .220 Swift
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked -“WINCHESTER / PROOF STEEL”-, “MODEL 70”, -“WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“-, and “.220 SWIFT”. The right of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / -NEW HAVEN. CONN. -PATENTED-“. The left side of the barrel at the receiver and the left side of the receiver at the barrel are marked with a circled “WP” proof. The left side of the receiver is marked “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-”. The right side of the receiver’s chamber ring is marked “49851”. The serial number is also hand-scribed on the bottom of the bolt body.
Barrel Length: 26″ Medium Heavy
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman 77 globe-style sight which accepts interchangeable inserts, currently with a beaded post insert, mounted to a base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear of the barrel and the chamber ring are drilled and tapped with bases installed for mounting an optic (no optic included). The left of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Lyman 48WH aperture sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation. The bridge is NOT drilled. Both Lyman sights were factory options from Winchester on the Target Model rifles.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece smooth walnut with a pistol grip, straight comb, a checkered steel buttplate, sling swivel mounted in the belly and another mounted to the 4″ accessory rail inlet to the beavertail forend. There is an additional sling swivel/hand-stop mounted to the accessory rail. The stock has some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is wear to each side of the accessory rail which appears to be from the hand-stop being mounted at different locations. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has light wear around the edges and some residue in the sharp checkering. The stock rates in Very Good-plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The barrel has some scratching on the left between the front sight and forend, a few light marks on the right below the front sight and a few other minor marks. The bottom metal has a few minor marks. The action shows light operational wear and there is minor handling wear on the bolt knob. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a safety mounted on the rear of the bolt. Pushed forwards, the safety is OFF. If pulled back all the way, it locks both the bolt and the trigger. If pulled back half-way, it blocks only the trigger. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with the installed sights.
Our Assessment: This is a vintage pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 Target rifle made in 1943 and chambered in .220 Swift. It is a fairly early rifle, made in 1943 and with early-style markings. The Lyman target sights installed, a Winchester factory option on this model, are also proper for this vintage. The rifle has a medium-heavy barrel which leads to quite a bit of weight for such a small bore. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. The rifle has provision for mounting just about any kind of sight or optic you could want, but its vintage target sights are not only proper for this rifle, they are also a nice setup. Its long, heavy barrel and great bore should make for a tack-driver. The pre-64 Winchester Model 70 actions are prized by shooters and collectors alike for their smoothness and reliability, and this one is no exception. The .220 Swift cartridge is a wonderful varmint cartridge capable of velocities exceeding 4,000 fps and some find it suitable for medium game due to the outsized damage velocity grants to its rather small projectiles. It is also a nice target cartridge, with its high velocity making for a very flat-shooting round. In this rifle’s condition it would also make a great addition to a Model 70 collection missing the .220 Swift Target rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!