The Jan/Feb 2020 issue of Safari magazine has an article on these two rifles, the first two Win M70's, made in 1936 or 1937, both in 30-06.
An interesting presentation how these two historic rifles came to the ownership of one collector.
Even more interesting is that they are for sale, by the author of the article, for a cool $1,750,000.
Could they really fetch that amount of cash?
What would happen if #3 comes on the market?
Wow-- I own a pre-WW2 M70 SG--cal. 30-Gov't-06. It was originally purchased by my late fathering 1939. I still use it today for deer and coyote in MI-- It might be worth $1,750 in today's somewhat soft Winchester market- but I would NOT sell it for that- however, offer me 50% of that cool #1.75 mil, and I just might change my mind. RWTF
Where are these rifles for sale?
Amazing. I would never have guessed someone would try to sell such a valuable gun there. Well, it will be fun to watch.
It won't be much to watch. Think zzzzzzzzzzzzs. The transition period between the Model 54 and the Model 70 is so long that the first actual Model 70 is a non event, except for a collector willing to pay a few thousand for a serial number.
Note the different rear sight configurations from SN 1 and SN 2- need to see the left side of the receiver/stock and the cut-out area for the Lyman rear peep sight- The early M70's by SN did not have the rear receiver bridge D&T'd for s scope mount-- $1,750,000 for both- in a pig's patootie!! RWTF
in the mid 1980's gregg county tx hired a purchasing agent by the name of mike bedwell. he had previously served in that capacity in parker county tx (weatherford) and was a very personable gun trader.
my friend who was serving as district attorney introduced us, and we saw each other regularly for years. he related to me the story of finding m70 #1 in a pawn shop in weatherford. it was in very well used condition; he said had obviously spent many a mile in a pick-up gun rack and had little or no finish remaining and heavy wear on the stock. he bought it for little money and had simply viewed it as a shooter pre-war m70. when he got it home and examined it more closely he noticed the serial number and realized he had found the holy grail.
he had promptly sold the gun (and he never told me the sale price - but said it was "profitable"....). but he did retain good photographs and submitted an article to the american rifleman, which was printed sometime in the late 80's. i had him sign my copy of the magazine, but have lost track of where it is now.
where #2 came from i know not; but putting those two guns together was quite a hat trick...but maybe not $1.75m worth...
I just received a flyer for Rock Island's auction at the end of April. Included in the sale is Win Mod 42 serial number 1.
The results of that auction will be interesting and may well have an influence on the selling price of the Win Mod 70's 1 and 2.