A Couple Seriously Hideous Winchester 70s

[rcathey]

Hey all!

Just picked a couple of these (both essentially set up the same). They sure are ugly but I bet they did whatever they were designed for rather well.

So, what is that? What type of competition were these used in? Any thoughts on value? I could easily break these down for parts and do well but I'd like to sell them complete.

Full disclosure...I will be using any information I get to aid in selling these things. I don't want their hideousness rubbing off on my other guns

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Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[tiriaq]

Set up for shooting the US National Match course of fire. Discipline shot at both the state and national level. The Nationals are held at Camp Perry, Ohio every summer.
Course of fire includes standing, sitting and prone, slow and rapid fire, out to 600y.
Note that the rear receiver bridge is cut for charger loading, for the rapid fire match.
Assuming the bores are good, the rifles could still be used in competition.
Stock style looks to be the Dunlop pattern.

[rcathey]

So are they military or civilian rifles for a military competition?

I'm seeing dollar signs, my friend. Any thoughts on value?

[Daan Kemp]

They sure are impressive, not ugly at all. The value in the complete rifle will be in how good the barrel is still. If the barrels are 'shot out' they will be good enough for reasonably accurate shooting but not at national level.

[rcathey]

The value in the complete rifle will be in how good the barrel is still.

Good note! I should have them in my hands late next week or so. I'll be able to update on bore condition then.
For context, in the same auction I bought a National Match M1 Garand. There were a few other target-type firearms in there as well. Someone had quite the collection!

[vintage hunter]

They sure are impressive, not ugly at all. The value in the complete rifle will be in how good the barrel is still. If the barrels are 'shot out' they will be good enough for reasonably accurate shooting but not at national level.

The value of the complete rifle will be based on how factory original they are, not just on barrel condition. Any mods(with possible exception to those proven to have been done by Winchester or special order options) will decrease value. We already know the stocks aren't factory and it's highly possible the triggers and barrels aren't either, and one looks to have been re-blued. Factory barrels will have the WP proof on the chambers left side and most of the time a date stamp at 6 o'clock and unslotted low profile ramp front sights. Target grade m70's triggers were stamped with either the word target or a "T". From the pics they look heavily modified and won't be worth anywhere near what one in original trim would be.

[rcathey]

From the pics they look heavily modified and won't be worth anywhere near what one in original trim would be.

I don't know the value of an original though either...or what an original looks like.
I took a gamble but as I said, as a pile of parts (sights, bolt, receiver, stock) they're worth probably 200 more than I paid.

If someone comes along and goes "Oh yeah, those are worth about $2k," then I'm definitely not going to sell them as parts haha.

[rcathey]

Also, I don't know what to call it. Typically I just search GunBroker and completed Rock Island auctions to determine ballpark values. However, if I search for "target model 70" I'm covered up with results that look nothing like these things.

[vintage hunter]

The Winchester Arms Collectors Association would be the place to find out exactly what you have and their values.
Whatever you do dont get in no hurry to part them out just yet. You've no doubt heard the saying to never say never with Enfields, well when it comes to Winchesters, pre-war especially, it goes double.

[rcathey]

The Winchester Arms Collectors Association would be the place to find out exactly what you have and their values.

Good advice. I've posted there as well. I'll cross-update as applicable. Thanks!