Regarding Pre 64 Model 70 Originality Factors, aka:


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Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2014 1:28 am
Location: San Diego Area
PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:23 pm
The pre ’64 Winchester Model 70 (hereinafter simply ‘70’) meets” Real Politik* ”. (*Ludwig von RIcheau/Otto Von Bismarck. Modernly, the oft quoted notion of a reality, gloss stripped away, necessary to acknowledge and address to accomplish anything useful.)

By the latter eighties, the collectability of the 70 was undisputed. Also by then the birth of the rifle a half a century earlier and its demise more than a quarter century past. Within that time lay a plethora of sub-model (hereinafter simply ‘model’) variations, chamberings, waxing & waning features and factory accessories. Add in the ample time for wear & tear as well as ‘customizations’ of all varieties. The 70 was a complex mixed bag and the subject of study, scrutiny and rapidly expanding collector interest.

The 70 also had features which offered unique ‘opportunities’. Those centered on components interchangeability. Such became an extremely important factor in value “enhancement”. For example, a common model wearing a decent component could become a donor for a flawed rare model recipient. The enhanced value perhaps up to twenty fold or more when restoring the rare model. Stock swaps became quite common. Bottom metal, particularly on Lightweight models was susceptible to marring. A common Lightweight donor for a rare Lightweight. But such only a small portion of the ‘potential’. Even such as barrels and also receivers were swapped. What were technically “restorations” morphed into “original”. Such the fact that absent some blunder, a good job of swapping literally undetectable.
Then enter the more sinister activities. Forgeries. Bolt serials, far more often not present than present and much due to wear, owners esthetic removal, some portion never occurring.

But then add the ‘entrepreneur enhancer’ “restoring the number or if replacing the bolt, merely adding the ‘new & improved’ matching number. So the net that a bolt number presence or absence accrues no substantial measure of certainty. What does account for far more both as indicia of originality and for practical purposes, is correct headspace. Winchester QC didn’t allow rifles into the wild with incorrect headspace! Also to add the notation that unlike the military mausers concerning which ‘matching bolts’ is a material problem, the 70 was not subject to cleaning ‘en mass’. That with many bolts together in barrels of solvent and subject to mix & match reinstallation. Indeed it’s a rare situation where an apparently original 70 with proper headspace is a suspect mismatch. So the net here is to worry or not about a missing number without much real substance.

Absent a NIB ( new in box) 70 being purveyed, a ‘no-foul’ for most. Then there is such as the Supergrade (SG) and in this category a considereabe amount of behind the scenes component swapping does occur. A nice 70 SG… but for. Example a weird sight installation which left its permanent mark. Swap the entire barreled action. Jewel the bolt, distress it a bit to ‘age’, take the appropriate stamp and presto-chango, a “restored” Supergrade to be marketed as original! Rare chambering? Perhaps a barrel swap to ‘restore’ from a pesky customized action. The list goes on.

The point of all this; the fact that true originality simply can’t be conclusive established unless by unique extrinsic evidence. (eg. Family heirlooms.) And just to add the nails to the coffin. Nowadays, entire factory boxes are counterfeited right along with end labels! Pristine 7 rifles can now have their own new, original old box!

This kind of problem isn’t unique to Winchesters. But the fact of lack of factory records a definite contributor. Contrast with Smith & Wesson where authentication letters reflecting factory records with detailed information is available. Also of course the disappointed collectors who find their pieces aren’t original. So even there, relatively to be careful what you wish for!

Finally, the ethics of the matter. Some swaps just considered ‘acceptable’. A decent floorplate for a scratched one for example. That and many other small components/parts just considered to be minimalist matters and insufficient to disturb heralded ‘originality’.

Nowadays, no matter what is proffered, if it quacks like a duck… Such is the reality. If it makes a buyer feel better to see bolt nomenclature or a Super stamp, go for it. In a vacuum, I wouldn’t pay a premium for such.

For many of the questions presented, I direct you to Roger Rule’s book. Therein rest the undisputed ‘tech’ answers. Yet the ‘Real Politik’ will remains unaffected. I do recommend the book. It portends sufficient expertise to play with the big guys.

Of course, others will disagree. Many with the legitimate converse arguments. For me…
My take

Disclaimer: Due to personal time factors intervening, I've gone from first draft straight 'to press' here. Please forgive any spelling/grammar/non sequiturs! :)
PostPosted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 9:22 am
Wow...nice write up !!

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