pre-64 model 70 value?

[Gman]

A friend of mine has a pre 64' chambered in .22 Hornet. (all original, his deceased grandad bought it new) He would like to know if these models are rare ?

 

[SBS]

Winchester made a little over 20,000 .22 Hornets. It was popular at one time to convert these to .222 Rem. and I would guess if half survived as Hornets, I'd be surprised. The originals are popular calibers to both collect and shoot these days.

 

[butchlambert]

I guess I didn’t make myself clear. See the 4 gunsinternational links I posted above for examples of used rifles by those gentlemen. I can find lots of others in that price range by these and other top-tier builders.

I bought a Corvette once that the guy died in and was not found for a couple weeks. I only paid $100.
I have no use for a preowned rifle unless I can turn it for a quick buck.

 

[Gary in MD]

Timing helps sometimes when selling things.
I sold a pre 64 Winchester Alaskan 338 win mag in 2013 for $1800.00(on this site). It was in very good to excellent condition.
The gentleman was extremely happy when he received it.
Gary

 

[JimT]

I bought a Corvette once that the guy died in and was not found for a couple weeks. I only paid $100.
I have no use for a preowned rifle unless I can turn it for a quick buck.

I consider rifles built by the men noted above and others of their stature works of art. According, as most fine art is acquired, I have no problem buying it used. In fact, most of them are in the same condition as the day they were delivered!

 

[butchlambert]

I consider rifles built by the men noted above and others of their stature works of art. According, as most fine art is acquired, I have no problem buying it used. In fact, most of them are in the same condition as the day they were delivered!

But they were not built for you or to your specs. You will not see mine on these websites. To me buying it this way is to let everybody know that you have one.

 

[riflewoman]

I consider rifles built by the men noted above and others of their stature works of art. According, as most fine art is acquired, I have no problem buying it used. In fact, most of them are in the same condition as the day they were delivered!

And that is a problem with the high end custom market. Smiths build high end custom guns for people that will never use them. Some are never even shot. The issue is that this distorts the market to the point where useable grade guns never get built and every custom build HAS TO HAVE the finest Circassian walnut, a quarter rib, express sights...and be built in some romping magnum. The bill goes north of $15K pretty quick. Al Bisen and others intended their rifles to be used and I would not hesitate to take a rifle of his into the field.

 

[farmerjohn]

I'm still kicking myself for not buying a pre war mod 70 Safari Grade in 375 H&H. asking price was 800 in the mid 1980's . I would have bought it, but it was custom ordered w/o being drilled for a scope sight. mike in ct

Just keep kicking, shot mine last year, sighted it in planning on deer hunting with 235grs and it ain't as much fun as it used to be. Felt like I was softer than I use to be....
John

 

[butchlambert]

And that is a problem with the high end custom market. Smiths build high end custom guns for people that will never use them. Some are never even shot. The issue is that this distorts the market to the point where useable grade guns never get built and every custom build HAS TO HAVE the finest Circassian walnut, a quarter rib, express sights...and be built in some romping magnum. The bill goes north of $15K pretty quick. Al Bisen and others intended their rifles to be used and I would not hesitate to take a rifle of his into the field.

Well guess what! I have a few and they do not stay in the safe and only 2 are "romping magnums". The others are a 45-70, 9.3X62, 7x57, 2 ea 6.5x47L,32-20, 220 "Beggs" Russian, 3 ea 22RF are in nice wood. Yes I have a few synthetic stock rifles.
Seems as I have more, but I ain't going to get them out and check.
Custom rifles are what we all have in our mind what pleases us and are built for us. Yes, I know who the good guys are and as Duane Wiebe says,"If a client wants pink drawers painted on the beautiful butt stock, he will get it".

 

[mikeinct]

Just keep kicking, shot mine last year, sighted it in planning on deer hunting with 235grs and it ain't as much fun as it used to be. Felt like I was softer than I use to be....
John

You need my 283 grain cast bullet load.. Very smooth , you want few slugs to test drive ? Mike

 

[matthias]

I have been watching this thread with one thing on my mind. The pre64 375h&h on it's way to me. I paid 1200 for this one and it is in exceptional shape.

I am not a collector so someday I hope to be posting the rifle next to recently dead things.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Was that in a flea market or furniture store?

 

[matthias]

It was in an auction. Or maybe you are commenting on my shop ? There is a major remodel, and reorganization happening right now.

 

[Joe Maisto]

im not sure I’d classify a Model 70 as crude. Considering when and how it was manufactured. It is certainly above a FN Commercial Mauser and the Mannlicher Schoenauer of pre-war vintages. Today we have such a plenty of quality actions we forget that our grandfathers weren’t so fortunate.

To answer the OP. The 300 Win Mag chambering is rare as it was only done in the last year of production of the “pre-64” model 70. If it is fully in original configuration it will command a big price.

I do not beliee I would trade my FN, Mod. 50 (made in Belgium) for a pre-64 70. It has been flawless. I have also had a Mannlicher Shoenauer w/butter knife bolt handle and rotary magazine. For me, the model 50 came out on top, especially with a Timney trigger.