Old Winchester 70 question...

P

Popeye

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I just noticed a rifle my father-in-law gave to me years ago has a serial number in the 4### range. Its a Winchester Model 70, .220 Swift, in really nice shape.

Any idea how old this is?

He never used it, as it was given to him 25+ years before he gave it to me.

To be honest, a .220 Swift isn't really something I can see myself doing anything with...other than collecting dust. He also gave me a couple .22's, perfect for my sons in a couple years.

He also gave me 6 boxes of ammunition. Geez, the boxes look like antiques.

But, since I noticed its serial number, I was thinking I should ask a couple questions beforehand.


Thanks.
 
Should only be d and t for one hole in the back bridge if my memory serves correctly but that is an awesome rifle in an awesome little round.

Keep it, shoot it, love it
 
I'm no expert but this should give you a good idea on it's value.

ht tp://www.gunsinternational.com/WINCHESTER-MODEL-70-SUPER-GRADE-220-SWIFT.cfm?gun_id=100183185

ht tp://www.gunsinternational.com/WINCHESTER-70-TARGET-220-SWIFT.cfm?gun_id=100183017

ht tp://www.gunsinternational.com/WINCHESTER-70-SUPER-GRADE-PRE-64-220-SWIFT.cfm?gun_id=100182255

ht tp://www.gunsinternational.com/Winchester-Model-70-pre-64-220-Swift.cfm?gun_id=100163064

ht tp://www.gunsinternational.com/Winchester-National-Match-Pre-64-Model-70-220-Swift.cfm?gun_id=100152177

ht tp://www.gunsinternational.com/WINCHESTER-PRE-64-MODEL-70-TARGET-220-SWIFT.cfm?gun_id=100069250
 
I would let this one run it's course.
Don't let anyone scalp you on it.
Do a bunch of homework first on value
before you hand it over.
It could very well end up back up here for a bunch more.
Just saying.
Good luck.
Looky.
 
don't take any quick money offers, you could short change yourself lots of coin. RESEARCH , and then you can decide.
My Gun digest book of prices and guns from 2009 lists the 1937 Win model 70 in .220 swift to be worth 2750 in excellent condition, 2000 in V.G. condition, 1250 in good, 900 in fair, 500 in poor (value of action alone)
These prices are only guidelines. Market demand actually dictates the values. But these prices can be realized in the right market. The caliber is actually what drives the model 70 prices as much as the age.
In the list of "rarity of caliber" , they list in order of rarity as :1)300 savage, 35 rem, 458 win mag, 7mm, 358 win, 250-3000 savage, 300 winmag, 338 win mag, 375 H & H , 257 roberts, 220 swift, 22 hornet, 264 win mag, 300 H & H, 308 win, 243 win, 270 win, and .30-06 spfd.
Meaning you have the 8th rarest chambering of the initial 18 offered.
If your rifle is early in that list, its worth more than one in the later part of the list all things being equal.
I can't imagine any model 70 getting 2750 up here in Canada, but I'm not a collector. A well advertised sale will bring you a natural level of value. I wish you well and congrats on the riflemans rifle.
 
What gun digest books and Blue book values and other pricing systems offer you are guide line ,not what market value may actually be there are many variables in pricing a firearm.
 
what he said. The books take a lot of valuations from auction prices and online sales to come to a figure. And they use appraisals from top gun guys , but these are only round estimates. I can't imagine a top quality winny getting more than 12-1400 from my wallet, but some will pay more. It would certainly get a once over by my own eyes. Condition plays a big part. 220 swift could be hard on barrels if they are shot a lot. Everything original? Anything options custom ordered from factory? Location/country etc etc, this also factors into values. PLUS, how many people see the item for sale. A highly publicized auction will bring more than a local sale, as you get all the interested people in one place bidding against each other. Natural product values tend to arrive that way more easily.
 
The Blue Book of Gun Values doesn't mean a whole lot in Canada. Even with a depressed economy, prices in the U.S. are MUCH higher. A pre WW2 model 70 is a desirable rifle if all original and the .220 Swift is less common. In Canada the only way I could see getting more than $1500 or so for a 70 is if it were chambered in .35 Remington. Now there is a rare gun.
 
The rifle has several alterations from factory original including a glue on Monte Carlo cheek riser and modified checkering pattern. Doesn't make it less functional to a shooter but value to a collector has taken a sharp decline as a result. You will not be looking at the upper end of any book prices.
 
I'm not a collector by any means...nor do I expect this to fetch collector dollars. As explained by PM's from others, this is not 100% factory original.

My sole intention for asking questions was to possibly get myself a better quality moose rifle than what I already have, without being out of pocket. I think this might work out better than planned, whether trade or cash.
 
Chatted with Popeye by PM when this first went up, mentioned there he's lucky to have a second year Model 70, and I'm sure you'll be able to end up with a nice moose rifle in the end.

Would be neat to restore it, from what I can see would need a stock, rear sight, front sight hood, and holes filled/TIG'd over. Definitely doable as the bolt handle, bottom metal, and barrel appear unaltered and those are what will sink the possibility for restoration.

Good luck in the rifle trading, too bad I have nothing in the value range to offer.
 
Had it not been drilled and tapped for a scope, it would have met all the praises that is being heaped on it.
 
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