Engraved Winchester Model 70 Featherweight .243 22″ Bolt Rifle, 1959 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,013.00
LSB#: 240203MT005
Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Featherweight
Serial Number: 458730
Year of Manufacture: 1959
Caliber: .243 Win.
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, serrated, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding “U”-notch sight with a white triangle aiming reference dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The notch is fine adjustable for elevation. The top of the receiver has two pairs of drilled and tapped holes. The rear pair has fill-screws. The front pair has one hole un-filled and one that is damaged. 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 walnut with a pistol grip, monte-carlo comb, sling swivels front and rear, and a checkered black plastic buttplate. The stock has oak-leaf carving in the grip areas. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with areas of thinning finish. The carving is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 5/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear with a ding at the toe and well defined checkering. Overall, the stock is in Very Good-plus condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished at the time of engraving. The serial marking on the bolt is not legible due to the jeweling.
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.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its current metal finish. There is some light wear around the damaged mounting screw hole in the chamber ring. The action shows light operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The remaining screw heads range from sharp to lightly used. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. As noted above, the front optic mounting screw is damaged and will need to be repaired before mounting an optic. 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: The Winchester Model 70 is an iconic American sporting rifle that has been a staple of hunters for more than 80 years; reliable, robust, and accurate, it is one of the benchmarks by which all bolt action rifles are measured. It has more than earned its nickname of “The Rifleman’s Rifle“, a true icon. This is a vintage pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight rifle chambered for the .243 Winchester cartridge and made in 1959. The .243 Winchester is a classic and has taken countless deer, some even claim it to be the second most popular deer cartridge after the venerable .30-06 Springfield. This Featherweight has been quite skillfully custom engraved with relief oak-leaf to match the custom carving on the stock. The work is nicely finished off on the alloy bottom metal with molded gold deer on the floorplate and pronghorn on the trigger guard. Per the consignor, this gun was engraved by Hamada & Son in Tokyo, Japan, a popular company among American servicemen stationed on the island. The rifle is in nice shape and ready to display or to chase trophies for a another lifetime! Please see our photos and good luck!
