Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight .243 Win Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,325.00
LSB#: LSB260219DC009
Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Featherweight
Serial Number: 349148
Year of Manufacture: 1955 C&R
Caliber: .243 Winchester
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Barrel Length: 22″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into a ramp soldered to the barrel. The rear sight is an adjustable folding U notch dovetailed into the barrel. The left side of the receiver is drilled and tapped for a receiver sight. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped for a scope mount. There is a Lyman All American 4x in Redfield mounts installed on this rifle. We cannot guarantee optics.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one piece checkered walnut, semi pistol grip, monte carlo comb, and checkered aluminum buttplate. The LOP is 13 1/2″ from trigger to buttplate. There are sling mounts installed. This rifle has a bedded pressure point in the forend of the stock. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There is some chipped finish loss particularly on the buttstock near the buttplate. There are no cracks. Overall this stock is in Fair to Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the throat. There is minor fouling. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its original finish. There is light handling and operational wear. There are scratches throughout. There is thinning bluing near the muzzle. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. The bolt serial matches the receiver. Overall this rifle rates in Fair to Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The three position safety functions correctly. 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: Scope, Sling
Our Assessment: This Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight is a desirable C&R-eligible sporting rifle, manufactured in 1955 and chambered in .243 Winchester. The Featherweight configuration is especially appealing in a light, flat-shooting caliber like .243, and the rifle retains the core features that make Pre-64 Model 70s sought after: controlled-round-feed action, three-position safety, internal hinged floorplate magazine, 22″ barrel, factory-style open sights, and receiver provisions for both aperture sight and scope mounting. The installed Lyman All American 4x scope in Redfield mounts adds period-appropriate utility, though the optic is not guaranteed.
Condition is somewhat mixed. The metal is a strong point, retaining about 95% of its original blue finish, with light handling and operational wear, scattered scratches, and some thinning near the muzzle. The screw heads are sharp, the markings are clear, and the bolt serial number matches the receiver, all important positives for collector confidence. The stock is the primary limiting factor, rated Fair to Good due to scratches, compression dents, chipped finish loss near the buttplate, and general handling wear. The absence of cracks is favorable, but the bedded pressure point in the forend should be noted as a modification or tuning feature that may matter to collectors focused on strict originality.
Mechanically, the rifle is reported to function correctly, including the three-position safety, though it has not been test-fired. The bore is excellent, rated 9/10, with bright metal, sharp rifling, no throat erosion, and only minor fouling, giving it strong shooter potential. Overall, this is a Fair to Good Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in a desirable .243 Winchester chambering, with excellent metal finish, matching bolt, strong bore, and useful period optics. Its value is moderated mainly by stock wear, chipped finish, the forend bedding work, and the unverified scope, but it remains an attractive collector-shooter for a Winchester enthusiast or vintage hunting-rifle buyer. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF