Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 .257 Roberts Bolt Action Rifle & Sling, MFD 1952 C&R OK
Sold For: $1,962
Make: Winchester
Model: Model 70
Serial Number: 217296
Year of Manufacture: 1952
Caliber: .257 Roberts
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”, “MODEL-70 -257 ROBERTS.”, and with an ovalled “WP” proof. The left side of the receiver is marked with an ovalled “WP” proof and “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK”. The right side of the receiver at the chamber is marked “217296”.
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: This front sight is a hooded bead dovetailed into a stippled ramped base on the barrel. The rear sight is a folding flat topped “U” notch that is dovetailed into a band on the barrel and has a fine elevation adjustment. The top of the receiver has is drilled and tapped for scope mounts.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one piece checkered walnut with a satin finish, a checkered blued steel shotgun style buttplate and sling swivels on the forend and near the butt. The stock has a Monte Carlo comb. The stock shows a few scuff marks at the heel, a scratch in the finish on the left side at the back of the comb, a scratch on the left side opposite the port and a few light handling marks. The hand cut checkering shows light wear tending to moderate wear at the edges of the checkering in the grip area. There are no mars in the checkering. The LOP measures 13 3/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate, which shows light sanding marks under the finish and light wear and frosting at the toe. There are a few tiny mars in the checkering, which is otherwise sharp. The buttplate is in about Fine condition as re-finished. The stock rates in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: The barrel, magazine floorplate and trigger guard are blued. The receiver and bolt handle have a matte finish.
Finish Originality: The finish is original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright tending to gray at the muzzle. The rifling is deep with very light wear. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The barrel and magazine floorplate show a very few light handling marks. The top rear of the receiver shows faint marks from where scope mounts were attached and the bolt knob shows spots of frosting. The safety serrations and screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the trigger breaks crisply. We did not fire this rifle.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a target style brown leather sling. It is two pieces joined with a rectangular ring, and has two brass double hook ends for adjusting the length of the sling while carrying or when used as a target sling. Each piece also has a brown leather slider. The leather shows a few minor marks and spots of oil staining in the finish. One of the leather sliders has a section of its surface missing, which from the stitching was probably a blemish in the leather before the sling was made. There are no cracks in the leather, the stitching is intact and the brass hooks show tarnish. The sling is in about Fine condition.
Our Assessment: Per Wikipedia: “The .257 Roberts cartridge is a medium powered .25 caliber cartridge known affectionately as the Bob. It has been described as the best compromise between the low recoil and flat trajectory of smaller calibers such as the .222 Rem. and the strong energy but not the strong recoil of larger popular hunting calibers such as the .308 Win. It is capable of driving a 100 gr. bullet to slightly over 3000 fps, equaling the performance of the .243 Win. which has eclipsed it in popularity in later years.”. This is a vintage post WWII Winchester Model 70 chambered in .257 Roberts. It has iron sights and the receiver has been drilled and tapped for scope mounts. This rifle has been VERY well cared for. It is in about Excellent condition with about 98% of its original finish remaining. There are a very few light handling marks, light marks on the top rear of the receiver from a scope mount and spots of light frosting on the bolt knob. The rifling in the bore is deep with no erosion. Normally, we would tout a rifle chambered in .257 Roberts as a great deer rifle that was perfect for long range shots on antelope, especially for people who cannot tolerate the recoil of a larger cartridge. However, we think collectors are going to snap this up before the hunters get a chance. The pre-’64 Winchesters are prized for the quality of their actions, and this one will be no exception.
