Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 26″ Medium-Heavy .220 Swift Bolt Rifle, 1953 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2075
LSB#: 210615WG02
Make: Winchester
Model: 70, Varmint/Target Rifle (see Our Assessment)
Serial Number: 273992
Year of Manufacture: 1953
Caliber: .220 Swift
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U. S. OF AMERICA / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-”, “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-”, and “MODEL-70 – 220 SWIFT-”. 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 “273992”. The serial number is also hand-scribed on the bottom of the bolt body.
Barrel Length: 26″ Medium Heavy
Sights / Optics: There is a dovetail at the front of the barrel which is filled with a blank. The rear of the barrel is drilled and tapped with a scope base installed. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a scope base on the chamber ring and fill-screws on the bridge. The left-rear of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for a receiver sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece checkered walnut with a pistol grip, Monte Carlo comb, a checkered steel buttplate and sling swivels mounted front and rear. The stock has a few scattered light nicks and scratches with some light wear around the sling swivels. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 ½” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has light wear at the heel and toe, minor oxidation around the edges and well defined checkering. The stock rates in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. The muzzle is bright and has slightly rougher machining than we are used to seeing on these barrels. It’s unclear if the muzzle was cut-back slightly or if this is how it left the factory.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are a few scattered minor nicks and scuffs. The action shows light operational wear and there is 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: None.
Our Assessment: This is a vintage pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 rifle made in 1953 and chambered in .220 Swift. The rifle has a 26″ medium-heavy barrel and a checkered monte-carlo stock which would otherwise lead one to believe that it is a Varmint rifle or a Target ordered in a standard stock. However, the Varmint wasn’t offered in .220 Swift until 1959 and the Target model was offered with a 26″ MH barrel from 1937 to 1951. We pulled the action and found the barrel date is 1952. This means that this is almost certainly a special-order gun, ordered as a .220 Swift Varmint before that was offered as a standard configuration. It is likely orders such as this which led to the introduction of the Varmint as a standard configuration. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. The muzzle is bright, which we have seen on various Target/Varmint models, but the machining at the muzzle is a little more rough than we are used to seeing, it may have been dressed at some point or it may just have left the factory that way. The rifle has provision for just about any kind of sights or optics you would want to install, though no sights are installed or included. 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. This should still make a great target or varmint rifle. In its condition it would also make a great addition to a Model 70 collection. Please see our photos and good luck!