Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Super Grade .220 Swift Bolt Rifle, MFD 1957 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2526
LSB#: 211203FH53
Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Super Grade
Serial Number: 411886
Year of Manufacture: 1957
Caliber: .220 Swift
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle 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-” in front of the rear sight boss. The left-rear of the barrel is marked with an ovalled “WP” proof, found again on the left of the receiver’s chamber ring. The left side of the receiver is marked “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-”. The right side of the receiver’s chamber ring is marked “411886”. The bolt body is hand-scribed “411886”, this marking is partially obscured by operational wear. The floorplate is marked “-SUPER GRADE-“.
Barrel Length: 26″
Sights / Optics: No sights are installed or included. There is a textured, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The base is grooved for a hood and dovetailed for a sight, but neither are present. There is a dovetailed boss at the rear of the barrel, but no rear sight is present. The left-rear of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for a receiver sight (none included). The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped with two holes in the chamber ring and two in the bridge.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, black nosecap, straight comb with cheekpiece, ventilated brown rubber Pachmayr recoil pad, and Super-Grade style sling plates inlaid front and rear. The stock has been relieved in the barrel channel to float the barrel. There are noatble dings on the left under the receiver and in the belly in front of the sling plate. There are several other scattered more minor nicks, scuffs and scratches, including in the ebony nosecap. There are tool marks around the hole for the forend mounting screw (this screw is not present as the barrel has been floated). It appears that the screws holding the front sling plate are replacements, as they do not fit the plate as the rear screws do. This may be due to the floating alteration. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad, 12 1/2″ to the back of the wood. The pad has light wear, most notable at the heel, and remains fairly supple. The stock rates in Very Good overall condition as modified.
Type of Finish: Matte 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 light finish wear at the muzzle, a patch of wear on the top about mid-way between the front sight base and the front of the stock, a scratch on the bottom in front of the stock, a couple of spots of minor surface oxidation near the muzzle and a few other scattered minor marks. The bottom metal has tool marks at the mounting screws with some scattered minor wear. The sight dovetails show light wear from the previously installed sights and there are tool marks on the left of the rear sight boss. The action shows light operational wear and there is some handling wear on the bolt handle. Most screw heads are sharp or lightly tool marked, the front mounting screw on the bottom metal is disfigured with a serviceable slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition as customized.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The action has been bedded in the stock and the barrel channel was relieved to float the barrel. There is a safety mounted on the top-rear of the bolt. Pushed to the front, the safety is OFF. If pulled to the rear 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 1957 vintage pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 Super Grade rifle chambered in .220 Swift. The Super Grade has nicer-grain wood with a nosecap, grip cap, cheekpiece and nicer checkering than would be found on the Standard Rifles. This example has had the action bedded and the barrel floated to help wring out every bit of precision possible with the .220 Swift cartridge. Able to push projectiles well past 4,000 fps, the cartridge is a classic round for varmint hunting and some hunters have found it to be quite effective on smaller deer. The Model 70 Super Grade chambered for this cartridge is also a fairly scarce variant. The variant is beloved by collectors, perhaps as it is one which received factory matte-blued barrels, such as this example. This is a classic rifle in a great varmint cartridge that is ready to bag some game. That said, this Pre-64 Super Grade will have high collector interest and would be a wonderful addition to a Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck!