Remington Model 720 .270 Winchester 24″ Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1942 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,777.77
LSB#: LSB260627TM004
Make: Remington
Model: 720
Serial Number: 41313
Year of Manufacture: Feb. 1942 (LL Date Code) / C&R Eligible.
Caliber: .270 Winchester
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “REMINGTON ARMS CO., INC. REMINGTON / ILION WORKS, ILION, N.Y. MADE IN U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel is marked “.270 WIN.”. The right side of the barrel is marked with the “LL” date code, along with a series of proof marks. The left side of the receiver is marked “MODEL-720 / 41313”. The right side of the receiver is marked “Remington / REG.U.S.PAT.OFF”. The serial number on the bolt matches the serial number on the receiver.
Barrel Length: 24″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade, pinned to a ramped base, banded around the barrel. There is no rear sight. The top of the receiver is mounted with a two-piece scope base for optics. The right side of the receiver is drilled for the addition of a aperture peep sight, and the stock has been cut out for the peep sight as well.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece checkered wood stock, with a semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb, checkered steel Remington buttplate, a checkered forend, and sling rings front and rear. There is a leather sling attached to the stock. The LOP measures 13 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock shows light to moderate wear, with scratches, dings, compressions, and scuffs throughout, mainly on the left side of the stock. The stock’s finish is largely intact, and the checkering is mostly well defined, with one considerable compression in the right side of the forend checkering. The stock fits tightly to the barreled action, with no play. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the stock rates in Good to Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.75/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its current metal refinish. The balance of the finish shows light wear, with light scratches and dings throughout the barrel and receiver, along with moderate to heavy operational marks on the bolt, light scratches and light corrosion on parts of the bottom metal. The finish on the barrel and receiver is intact. The barrel, receiver, and floorplate show the signs of a refinish, as there are polishing marks on all of those parts, and the markings on the barrel are somewhat faded. The screw heads are tooled, but serviceable. Overall, this rifle rates 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: This rifle comes with the leather sling as mentioned above.
Our Assessment: The Remington Model 720 was the final development of Remington’s prewar Model 30-series sporting rifles and was produced only briefly before American wartime production priorities brought commercial manufacture to an end. Built around a Mauser-influenced controlled-feed bolt action, the Model 720 was offered as a refined sporting rifle and was produced in comparatively limited numbers, giving surviving examples considerable historical interest. This February 1942 rifle is chambered in .270 Winchester with a 24″ barrel and retains its matching serialized bolt. The receiver has been drilled for a receiver-mounted aperture sight and the stock relieved accordingly, while the rifle is currently fitted with two-piece scope bases and no rear iron sight.
This rifle is in Good to Very Good condition overall, retaining about 85% of its current metal refinish. The barrel, receiver, and floorplate show polishing associated with the refinish, and some of the barrel markings have consequently become faint. Additional wear includes scattered scratches and dings, moderate to heavy operational marks on the bolt, and light corrosion on portions of the bottom metal. The checkered wood stock also rates in Good to Very Good condition with scattered scratches, dings, compressions, and scuffs, along with a more pronounced compression in the right-side forend checkering, but no chips or cracks. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, while the action and safety function correctly. A leather sling is included. Despite the refinish and sighting modifications, the short-lived Model 720 production, 1942 manufacture, matching bolt, and .270 Winchester chambering give this rifle notable historical and collector interest. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! – J.D.