Custom Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 22″ .270 WIn. Bolt Action Rifle, 1959 C&R
SOLD FOR: $9024
LSB#: 210517WT04
Make: Winchester
Model: Custom Model 70
Serial Number: 441529
Year of Manufacture: 1959, Customized Ca. 1991
Caliber: .270 Winchester
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “Cal. 270″. The left of the receiver is marked “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-” with “WINCHESTER” in gold. The right of the chamber ring is marked “441529” in gold. The bottom of the bolt has “441529” hand-scribed. The receiver has extensive foliate-scroll engraving with gold borders and motif. The engraving motif continues on the bolt handle, cap, scope bases and rings, skeleton buttplate and grip cap, sling studs, and the chamber of the barrel. There are two gold rings at the muzzle. The bottom metal has matching engraving with a howling wolf scene on the floorplate, the wolf done in molded gold. The floorplate is signed “BOUCHER”. Inside the barrel channel of the stock is hand-scribed “K.M. Heppler 1991”.
Barrel Length: 22″
Sights / Optics: There is no provision for iron sights. The custom-engraved bases and rings hold a Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-8x scope with duplex reticle. The scope has no notable wear and clear glass, in Excellent condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a Keith Heppler custom checkered deluxe walnut with horn nosecap, skeleton steel grip cap and buttplate, straight comb with cheekpiece, sling studs front and rear and fleur de lis motif in the checkering. The stock has no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate and grip cap have no notable wear or damage, showing infrequent very minor surface oxidation. The butt checkering is sharp. Overall, the stock is in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue, French Gray, Gold, Jeweled Bolt
Finish Originality: Original to Engraving
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its current metal finish. The French Gray finished bottom metal, grip and butt caps, sling studs and scope mounts have some scattered very minor surface oxidation. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp and properly timed. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a safety mounted on the rear of the bolt. Pushed to the front, the safety is OFF. Rotated 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 scope as described.
Our Assessment: The pre-64 Winchester Model 70s are known as “The Rifleman’s Rifle”, and it is a well-deserved moniker. They are popular with hunters, target shooters and collectors and, by all indications, will continue to be so for decades to come. This example has been customized and turned into quite an awesome specimen of the Model 70. Chambered for the wonderful .270 Winchester cartridge, the rifle has been beautifully engraved by Richard Boucher with gold borders and a molded gold howling wolf scene on the floorplate. The rifle has been mounted in a Keith Heppler custom deluxe walnut stock which has gorgeous grain, fine checkering, carving and matching engraved grip cap and buttplate. The engraving is even continued on the scope mounts and sling studs! Topping the rifle is a Leupold VX-III 2.5-8x scope. This is a beautiful rifle which will make a great addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!