Pre-64 Winchester 70 Super Grade G7051C 22 Hornet Bolt Rifle 1939 C&R Scope

SOLD FOR: $2070

LSB#: 210001TP09

Make: Winchester

Model: 70 Super Grade (Symbol No. G7051C)

Serial Number: 23747

Year of Manufacture: 1939

Caliber: .22 Hornet

Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER / PROOF STEEL”, “MODEL 70”, “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK”, AND “22 HORNET”. The left side of the barrel at the receiver and the left side of the receiver at the barrel are marked with a circled “WP” proof. The left side of the receiver is marked “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK”. The right side of the receiver’s chamber ring is marked with the serial number, “23747”. The magazine cover is marked “—SUPER GRADE—”.

Barrel Length: 24”

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade with a protective hood that is dovetailed into a ramped base. The rear sight is a height adjustable Winchester 22-G flip-up u-notch dovetailed into the barrel boss. The left side of the receiver is drilled, tapped, and filled for mounting a rear sight (no sight is installed there). The receiver is drilled, tapped, and filled with two piece optic rails that have attached a Leupold 7.5x scope. The scope body has several light nicks and scuffs, primarily on the top of the objective bell. The glass is a bit hazy. Overall, the scope is in Very Good condition.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is a replacement one-piece checkered wood with schnabel forend, black capped pistol grip, fluted Monte-Carlo comb with cheek-piece, and a checkered sheet steel buttplate. There are two notable cracks—the first is in the top of the grip, roughly 1 1/2”, and the second is in the bottom of the forend near the screw, roughly 3 1/2”. There are light nicks, dings, and draglines scattered throughout the wood with the heaviest concentrations being on the right side and belly of the buttstock, and the cheek-piece. The checkering is sharp. The LOP measures 13 5/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the plate. The plate has moderate-to-heavy finish loss throughout along with scuff wear at the heel and toe. Overall, the stock is in Good-to-Very Good condition, as not original to the rifle.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly gray with poorly-defined rifling. There are several patches of moderate erosion, concentrated most heavily nearer to the muzzle. Light stubborn fouling can be seen scattered about.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 93% of its metal finish. The barrel has scattered light nicks and a few moderate scuffs, the most notable of which run along the left side. There is minor thinning on some edges of the receiver. The action has light operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good-to-Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a safety mounted on the control-feed bolt. Pushed forwards, the safety is OFF. If pulled back 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, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This is a vintage pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 Super Grade rifle originally offered by Winchester from 1937 to 1954; this example was manufactured in 1939. Chambered in .22 Hornet, a lesser known cartridge but one that is by all accounts extremely accurate. It was once cited to be the most accurate centerfire cartridge the technicians at Winchester had ever seen. This rifle is in Good-to-Very Good condition with evidence of persistent use in the field, with heavy wear in the bore, a fair bit of scuff and nicks wear in the metal, and a few cracks in the replacement stock. The Pre-64 Winchesters have sincere collector interest, especially a Super Grade such as this one, and this would be a wonderful addition—or an incredible start—to a Winchester collection despite any wear present, as the action alone is a prize. Good luck and happy bidding!