Custom Pre-64 Winchester 70 22 Hornet 20″ Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,725.00
LSB#: LSB260612DH001
Make: Winchester
Model: 70
Serial Number: 12592
Year of Manufacture: 1937
Caliber: 22 Hornet
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine, Hinged Floorplate.
Barrel Length: 20″
Sights / Optics: The iron sights have been removed. There are drilled and tapped holes in front of the rear sight dovetailed. The left side of the receiver is drilled and tapped for a peep sight. One of those holes has been enlarged. There is an additional hole in the side of the receiver for a scope base. The top of the receiver has been drilled and tapped for a scope base. There is a JC Higgins 4x scope installed on this rifle. We cannot guarantee optics.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one piece custom carved walnut, semi pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered steel buttplate. The LOP is 13 1/2″ from trigger to buttplate. There is finish wear and deformation from storage. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this stock is in Good to Very Good condition as custom.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. There is light fouling. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its original metal finish. There is handling and operational wear. There are light scratches and corrosion freckles throughout. There is thinned bluing on leading edges. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Good to Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, as does the safety. We did not fire this rifle, but we did perform a mechanic’s check. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Sling, Scope
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 70 was introduced during the mid-1930s and quickly established itself as one of America’s premier sporting bolt-action rifles. The .22 Hornet was among the original chamberings and is one of the less commonly encountered pre-64 Model 70 cartridges. Winchester offered both the standard 24″ Sporting Rifle and a 20″ Carbine in .22 Hornet during the prewar period, so the 20″ barrel on this example is a legitimate period Model 70 configuration rather than automatically indicating that the barrel was shortened. Serial number 12592 falls within 1938 production, placing this rifle among the early prewar Model 70s.
This early .22 Hornet has been substantially customized with a one-piece carved walnut sporting stock, removal of the original iron sights, extensive scope-mount drilling and tapping, and installation of a J.C. Higgins 4x scope. It retains about 85% of its original metal finish with scattered scratches, corrosion freckles, thinning on the leading edges, and normal handling and operational wear. The custom walnut stock remains in Good to Very Good condition with storage-related finish wear and deformation but no chips or cracks. The bright bore is a particularly strong feature, retaining sharp rifling with no observed erosion and only light fouling and rating 9.5/10. The action and safety function correctly. Although the extensive modifications substantially reduce its collector originality, this remains an interesting early prewar Model 70 in the desirable .22 Hornet chambering with an excellent bore. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! MF