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LOT 1322
Rare and Desirable Documented U.S.M.C. Winchester Model 70 Bolt Action
Rifle - Serial no. 50586, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish,
walnut stock. Manufactured in 1942. This desirable Winchester Model 70 rifle
is listed by its serial number, 50586, on page 50 of the book “Death from Afar,
Volume I” by Chandler and Chandler, as a known example of a World War II era
production example procured directly from Winchester by the U.S. Marine Corps
“for sniper rifles, team guns, and match shooting awards”, in which the authors
indicate the U.S. Marine Corps purchased as many as approximately 1,000 of
these rifles “in standard sporter configuration -- sporter barrel, open sights,
sporter stock with 21 lines per inch checkering and one inch sling swivels.” This
rifle retains all of the mentioned features, with its standard weight barrel, as it
would have been delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps in the World War II era. The
consignor states this rifle was shipped in a 1942 shipment of 373, and indicates
it is one of less than a handful of known examples today. Although these rifles
were reportedly not sent out into the field during World War II, they remained in
Marine Corps inventory, where they were utilized by Marine marksmen for target
practice and shooting match use, making use of stockpiles of .30-06 Springfield
ammunition. These served as the basis for all the Model 70 sniper rifles that
were built by the Marines. In the earlier part of the Vietnam War, the Marine
Corps fielded a limited amount of surplus Winchester Model 70s as designated
sniper rifles, fitted with Unertl scopes and medium-heavy
weight barrels, until the adoption of the Remington Model 700
sniper rifles. A Model 70 sniper rifle was effectively used by famed Marine sniper
Carlos Hathcock near Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, in 1966, as well as in the
hands of some other unsung Marine snipers. The bright bolt body is correctly
electro-penciled with the matching rifle serial number. The left side of the barrel
has the standard Winchester legend and trademark followed by “-MODEL 70-
.30GOV’T.’06”. Oval Winchester “WP” proof marks stamped on the left side
of the barrel and receiver. The rifle has no Marine or U.S. property marks,
which is considered correct in this case.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 60% faded original blue finish with general
wear and handling marks characteristic of a Marine Corps used rifle, some
armorer brass tack repairs in the refinished stock with a chip at the toe,
scratches and dents, and otherwise nice figure. Mechanically excellent.
This rare documented U.S.M.C. Winchester Model 70 would make a fine
addition to any military collection!
Provenance: The Ryan Niederman Collection.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
Listed by serial number
in Death from Afar,
Volume I by Chandler
and Chandler
322