Help me value this pre-64 Winchester model 70

StoneHorse

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I came in possession of a 1950 vintage Winchester model 70 in 30/06 two-three years ago and I've have been trying to nail down fair market value. The rifle appears to be complete and correct for the year of manufacture. I do have one concern, the bluing on the receiver is a little different than on the barrel. The receiver is more of a matt finish where as the barrel is a little more gloss. No idea if that is correct or not. The rifle has been fired very little and doesn't show any bluing wear. There is a small rub on the underside of the barrel and a couple of small marks on the stock otherwise pristine. Prices on pre-64's model 70's seem to be all over the map depending on cartridge, condition and of course, whether or not has the rifle been altered from factory configuration.

Pics posted for your viewing pleasure.

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Very nice looking 66 year old rifle. Those of you that know a lot more about pre-64 model 70 Winchesters than I do, what value do a mark down in my ledger?
Thanks in advance.
 
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The two-tone matt finish of the receiver is correct. It doesn't appear to me to be refinished. The .30-06 was the most common chambering, but the rifle is in very good shape, and everything looks correct. Prices have been creeping up for a while now, so I would say $1100-1200 easy.
 
The two-tone matt finish of the receiver is correct. It doesn't appear to me to be refinished. The .30-06 was the most common chambering, but the rifle is in very good shape, and everything looks correct. Prices have been creeping up for a while now, so I would say $1100-1200 easy.
Thank you for confirming that for me. It doesn't look like it has been refinished to me either.
I also learned that this rifle is Standard Grade (1946-1963 production) and is factory drilled & tapped for scope mounts. I'll be getting a chance to look at the online subscription of Blue Book of Gun Values tomorrow.

Oh, thanks for the dollar estimate.
 
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Without the gun in hand depending on your pictures everything appears correct. . Winchester built 581,471 pre-64 Model 70 rifles from 1936 to 1963.. Approx. 200,000 were chambered 30-06 and approx. 100,000 chambered 270 Win. .

Value can be determined by: Rarity - Originality - Condition - State of the economy.

Yours is the most common caliber but the high condition raises the rarity factor as most have been well used - It appears to be all original - The condition appears to be excellent - The economy is tad touchy and hunting season is 6 months from now.

Without the gun in hand but from the pictures I would value your Model 70 around $1500. . .
 
I just got back from viewing a current online subscription of the Blue Book of Gun Values. You are right in the zone Rod.
95% = $1470, 98% = $1600

Fun fact: 30% premium if it was a stainless barrel in either .300 H&H or .270 Win cal.
 
1500.00 is quite optimistic it this market and blue book is a very general way to stain market price which different than value nice gun and unmolested but a common cal . $1000-$1200
 
I agree on the $1000........ish selling price if one wishes to have an opportunity to sell it reasonably qwick.
$1500 seems on the opticmistic side of the scale in this hurtful economy.
Then agin, stranger things have happened.

Maybe start a thread on these old gals to prawp up some interest.
Git the heavy hitters typ'in away tuh bewst moral.
Chit, might end up wid a kupple g-notes for it?

Great to see them Baby Boomer rifles in this fine shape.
 
I would concur that $1200. is a more realistic number, especially here in Canada. Do keep in mind the Blue Book prices are based the US market and currency, that differ greatly from the reality of Canada. The Blue Book is a nice tool, then current market trends relative to where you live have to be factored in. At the end of day any item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. There is a member here Named 'Wild Bill Hickock" that wheels and deals in a lot of old M-70's. His prices are always very high. How many he actually sells here in Canada is anyone's guess. You could try contacting him for his opinion and guidance.
 
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At the end of day any item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
Most definitely.
The Blue Book appears to be a nice tool, especially when the subscription is current. The prices are based in USD but so is every other rifle that is imported into Canada. There are some differences between the US and Canadian markets but not as much as a few people make it out to be. Depends on the firearm in question but prices do not generally drop when coming north.

If you put that particular rifle on the EE for $1000 it would be gone in seconds.
I've had a couple of PM's asking about the rifle. The rifle is not for sale and most likely never will be.
 
For insurance purposes, then the U.S. market values would be correct to mark in your ledger.
Might be the only place more readily available if heaven forbid they need to replace it.
 
For insurance purposes, then the U.S. market values would be correct to mark in your ledger.
Might be the only place more readily available if heaven forbid they need to replace it.
I'm re-doing my Will which is my primary motivation for the "how much it worth" question. Until you mentioned it, I didn't think about insurance purposes.
 
Bluebook is Not Gospel, especially in Canada. Very Nice M-70, but it is most common caliber, standard grade not a featherweight. Price 1200-1250. Can't go buy Hickocks prices, cause he's Extremely high on every gun make.
 
Bluebook is Not Gospel, especially in Canada. Very Nice M-70, but it is most common caliber, standard grade not a featherweight. Price 1200-1250. Can't go buy Hickocks prices, cause he's Extremely high on every gun make.
Blue Book, Black Book, Red Book, they are guides. The Blue Book prices are very much applicable in Canada. I don't think anyone has said Gospel or that prices are firm and never fluctuate. As one poster mentioned, it is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay cash money for. I was looking for approximate value and nothing more. Rifle is not for sale.
 
Not likey it will go in seconds on ee there have been many nice standard cal model 70's for 1000 $ most take awhile to sell . Once again regurgitating blue book values only shows the lack of market knowledge but I guess you have to start somewhere
 
Not likey it will go in seconds on ee there have been many nice standard cal model 70's for 1000 $ most take awhile to sell . Once again regurgitating blue book values only shows the lack of market knowledge but I guess you have to start somewhere
Pre or post 64?
Yep.
 
I don't know guys , you could get a new Browning X bolt for that price.
Apples & oranges. What's a current production Browning X-Bolt got to do with a near mint 1950 vintage Winchester model 70? They ain't making any more pre-64 Wins. Not unless you have a way-back machine. :d
 
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