Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Super Grade 24″ .30-06 Bolt Rifle, MFD 1938 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1313
LSB#: 210224DF08
Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Super Grade
Serial Number: 16078
Year of Manufacture: 1938
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield (.30 Gov’t ’06)
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked -“WINCHESTER / PROOF STEEL”-“MODEL 70”-“WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“-“.30 GOV’T ’06.” in front of the rear sight boss and at the rear with an ovalled “WP” proof, found again on the left of the receiver’s chamber ring. The left side of the receiver is marked “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-”. The right side of the receiver’s chamber ring is marked “16078”. The bottom of the bolt body is hand-scribed “16078”. The bottom of the floorplate is marked “-SUPER GRADE-“.
Barrel Length: 24″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Redfield beaded blade dovetailed to a textured, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The ramp is grooved for a hood but no hood is included. There is a boss with a dovetail for a rear sight which is currently filled with a blank. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a one-piece Redfield base and rings holding a Leupold M8 3x scope with crosshair reticle. The body of the scope has some plum discoloration in the body and turret housing, there is finish wear on the eyepiece toward the rear, and the objective end has mostly worn to white in front of the gold ring, however the glass remains quite clear. Overall, the scope is in about Good-Very Good condition. The left-rear of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for a peep sight (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, black bakelite nosecap, European-style oval cheekpiece on the left below the straight comb, ventilated brown rubber Mershon White Line recoil pad and Super-Grade style inlaid sling plates and detachable swivels front and rear. The stock has several light nicks, scuffs and scratches scattered throughout with a more notable ding in the right-side forend checkering, one on the left at the rear near the toe, and another on the rear edge of the cheekpiece. There is a small chip loss at the top of the stock behind the bolt-handle slot. The checkering is generally well defined with light handling wear. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad, 12 1/2″ to the back of the wood. The pad has light wear and is still fairly supple. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. Our gauge shows an ME of about 0.5.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. Most of the balance is in finish wear and scratching on the bottom metal. The bolt handle has handling wear. The barrel and receiver have a few scattered light nicks and scratches. There is a line of wear behind the rear sight boss from a previously installed elevator sight. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a safety mounted on the top-rear of the bolt. Pushed to the rear, the safety is OFF. If pushed forward 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: This rifle comes with the installed scope as described.
Our Assessment: This is a vintage pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 Super Grade rifle chambered in .30-06 and made in 1938. The Super Grade has nicer-grain wood with a nosecap, grip cap, cheekpiece and nicer checkering than would be found on the Standard Rifles. The rear sight removed, but appropriate sights can always be added. The rifle is in Very Good-Fine condition with evidence of responsible use in the field. The .30-06 is one of the most popular hunting cartridges in America, capable of taking just about any game in North America. This is a beautiful rifle in a great hunting cartridge that is ready to bag some game. That said, the Pre-64 Winchesters have high collector interest, especially a Super Grade, and this would be a good addition to a Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck!