Quote:
Originally Posted by gregintenn
I have one I hope someone here could explain. I purchased this from a trustworthy man I've known for years. He says he ordered this rifle new for his friend in the late 50's. He bought it back from the friend's widow after his death and sold it to me. The gun is supposedly unaltered, and appears so to me, as it is in immaculate condition. It is a Featherweight 243, and the serial number is 113xxx. That's too early for this configuration!!! Could Winchester have had some actions laid back and used them at a later date? Can you get a letter on them like an S&W?
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Greg:
The receiver of your Model 70 was stamped at the Winchester factory the first half of 1949. Two new calibers were brought in during 1955, between serial numbers 323,531 to 363, 025, the 358 Win. and the 243 Win, both based on the 308 Win case.
Are you certain you're reading the serial correctly, the first number wouldn't be a 4 maybe? The Monte Carlo stock showed up around 1952.
Here's two I picked up just before Christmas. A 1950 Supergrade and a 243 Featherweight. I'm at 13 pre-64 M70's and 1 M54.
Rod
