Custom Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 26” .220 Swift Bolt Action Rifle 1954 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,125.00
LSB#: LSB251016KS094
Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Standard Rifle
Serial Number: 206670
Year of Manufacture: 1954
Caliber: .220 Swift
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Barrel Length: 26″, Winchester barrel but has been replaced.
Sights/Optics: The front sight is an integral ramp with a dovetailed beaded blade. The hood is missing. The rear sight has been removed and the dovetail is plugged. The receiver is drilled and tapped for a receiver sight. The top of the barrel is drilled and tapped for a scope. There is a vintage Bausch and Lomb Balfor 4x scope with post reticle installed. We cannot guarantee the functionality of optics
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is a custom one-piece hand checkered walnut with a pistol grip, raised comb, sling swivels front and rear, and a checkered steel buttplate. The LOP measures 13 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are handling marks, scratches, and heavy compression dents throughout. The bottom of the pistol grip cap has a large chip. Overall this stock rates in Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. There are scattered scratches, corrosion spots, and bluing loss, most notably on the barrel. The bolt knob is mostly silver. There is light operational wear on the bolt. Overall this rifle rates in Fair to Good condition
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a safety mounted on the top-rear rear of the control feed bolt. Pushed to the front the safety is OFF, 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, and Accessories: Scope and Sling.
Our Assessment: This custom pre-64 Winchester Model 70 dates to 1954 and reflects the mid-century period when the Model 70 was widely regarded as the benchmark American sporting bolt-action rifle. Built on Winchester’s controlled-round-feed action with its robust claw extractor and three-position safety, the Model 70 earned its reputation for reliability and accuracy long before the 1964 production changes. The 26-inch barrel configuration aligns with Winchester’s emphasis on maximizing velocity and consistency in high-performance varmint cartridges during this era.
Chambered in .220 Swift, this rifle represents one of the fastest commercial sporting cartridges of the twentieth century. Introduced in the 1930s, the .220 Swift quickly became synonymous with long-range varmint shooting due to its flat trajectory and high velocity. The bore on this example remains bright with sharp rifling and only light erosion, rating an excellent 9 out of 10. The rifle retains its integral front sight ramp, while the rear sight has been removed and the dovetail plugged, and it is equipped with a vintage Bausch & Lomb Balfor 4x scope, a period-appropriate optic commonly paired with Swift-chambered rifles, though functionality has not been verified.
Overall condition reflects a mix of solid mechanical integrity and visible cosmetic wear. Approximately 75 percent of the original blued finish remains, with scattered scratches, corrosion spots, and bluing loss most evident along the barrel and on the bolt knob, which has worn largely to silver. The custom walnut stock shows heavy handling wear, compression dents, and a significant chip at the bottom of the pistol grip cap, placing it in fair condition. Markings remain clear, and mechanically the action functions correctly with the safety operating as designed. This rifle stands as a well-used but mechanically sound example of a custom-configured pre-64 Model 70 in the iconic .220 Swift chambering, clearly reflecting its period use and purpose. Please see our high resolution photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck on your bids!!! MF
