Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Standard G7032CN .243 Win. Bolt Rifle, 1959 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,701.00
LSB#: LSB250512SG031
Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Standard Rifle, Catalog No. G7032CN
Serial Number: 445579
Year of Manufacture: 1959
Caliber: .243 Winchester
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S. OF AMERICA / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL”, “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“, “-MODEL 70 – 243 WIN.-“. The left side of the barrel at the receiver and 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 “445579”, found again scribed on the bottom of the bolt.
Barrel Length: 24″
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 white triangle aiming reference dovetailed to a boss at the rear of the barrel, the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for an optic mount (none present). The left of the receiver at the rear is drilled, tapped and filled for a peep-sight mount (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece checkered walnut with monte-carlo comb, pistol grip, checkered hard rubber buttplate, and sling swivels front and rear. The stock has light handling wear with some scattered light nicks and scratches. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/2″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has light wear around the edges and some scratching at the heel with well defined checkering. Overall, the stock is in Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. The receiver and barrel show faint operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a safety mounted on the right-rear of the 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, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This 1959 Winchester Model 70 Standard Rifle chambered in .243 Winchester is a beautifully preserved example from the golden era of American sporting arms. Built during the pre-64 production period, it showcases the fit, finish, and mechanical excellence that earned the Model 70 its reputation as “The Rifleman’s Rifle.” The .243 Winchester cartridge, introduced just four years earlier in 1955, had already proven itself as an incredibly versatile round—offering flat-shooting accuracy for varmints, predators, and medium-sized game alike, with mild recoil that’s perfect for extended sessions in the field or at the range.
This rifle retains about 99% of its original blued finish and is in Excellent overall condition. The bright, sharp bore rates a perfect 10/10, and the action is smooth and precise, exactly as one would expect from a pre-64 Model 70. The matching-number bolt confirms its originality, and the walnut stock—with its Monte Carlo comb and checkered grip—shows only minor handling marks and no structural flaws. The factory sights are intact, and the receiver is drilled and tapped for optics and peep-sight options, adding versatility without detracting from its vintage appeal.
