Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight .358 Win. Bolt Rifle, MFD 1955 C&R
SOLD FOR: $4,050
LSB#: 230911GJ006
Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Featherweight, Product Code G7025CN
Serial Number: 335076
Year of Manufacture: 1955
Caliber: .358 Winchester
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Barrel Length: 22″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, textured, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine adjustable for elevation. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped for an optic mount (none included). The left-rear of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for a receiver sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece hand checkered walnut with a pistol grip, straight comb, sling swivels front and rear, and a checkered black alloy shotgun-style buttplate. The stock has some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with light handling wear in the grip areas. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light marks and minor wear with well defined checkering. Overall, the stock is in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Black Alloy Floorplate/Trigger Guard Assembly
Finish Originality: Original. The bolt is hand-scribed “335036”. Being off by only one digit, it is possible that this was a factory error.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion and some stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The barrel has some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, mostly toward the muzzle-end and on the right side. The receiver has only a few minor marks. The action shows operational wear. The bolt knob has handling wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a safety mounted on the rear of the bolt. Pulled to the rear, the safety is ON, locking 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 Featherweight rifle chambered in .358 Winchester and made in 1955. The rifle shows wear consistent with responsible use in the field, retaining a great bore and strong mechanics. The Featherweight was quite popular, making up nearly a quarter of all Winchester Model 70 production before 1964, but the .358 Winchester is significantly more scarce, making up about one third of one percent of production with only 2,000 rifles chambered for this cartridge at the factory. This makes the rifle more than suitable for addition to a Winchester collection. The .358 Winchester is also a great hunting cartridge, especially if you need a round that will perform well through heavy brush. If it gets past the collectors, it ought to make a great rifle for your next hunting season. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
