The serial number of this rifle, '48213' falls within the serial number range of Marine WWII Model 70 rifles listed on pages 49-50 of Death from Afar Volume 1' by Chandler & Chandler but is not included on the list. This rifle has all of the characteristics of the Marine Model 70 sniper rifles issued in Vietnam c. While browsing Gunbroker.com I came across a Super Grade Model 70. After contacting the seller requesting the date of manufacture, he replied with 'The date code on this firearm is ZT, which makes its year of manufacture 2016' I then asked for the serial number and he sent me this: 'The serial number on this firearm is 35GZT04331'. Model 70 Model 72 Model 75 Model 99 Thumb Trigger Model 121 $ 121T Model 131 & 135 Model 141 & 145 310 And 320 Models Model 670 Model 670 Mag 770 & 770 Mag.
To the maximum extent possible, the dates of manufacture shown were obtained from the original Winchester Factory Polishing Room serialization records; otherwise estimates were made using multiple sources of information (e.g. George Madis, Ned Schwing, etc.), in which case the data was extrapolated to the best of our ability. This information is no substitute for obtaining a Winchester Factory Letter from the Cody Firearms Museum (available for certain models and serial ranges) which in addition to the Serial Number Application Date, normally provide the original Received In Warehouse Date and Date Shipped from Winchester factory. For purposes of determining if your gun is legally considered an 'antique' (pre-1899 DOM), the BATF has told us they use the DOM dates published by the manufacture (Winchester). Those dates coincide with the Madis dates and can be viewed on Winchester's site at:Winchesterguns.com
If you would like to obtain factory research on your Winchester, we urge you to join WACA and the Cody Firearms Museum. WACA members who are also CFM Members will receive 15 additional record searches on top of the regular quantity of searches included in the standard CFM membership package, regardless of membership level.
This information below gives a fairly accurate picture of year of manufacture for Model 70s until recent years (1992). The information below was taken from rough documents that were typed up a number of years ago and do not yet exist digitally. To obtain date of manufacture on a Model 70 made after 1992 please contact the Winchester Customer Service Department at 800-333-3288. In the event of alteration or the serial number being expunged, the BATF needs to be advised. DO NOT ship the firearm as this is a federal offense.
Winchester Model 70 Serial Number Age
For a complete listing of manufacturing dates according to serial number for many other historic Winchesters of the past click this link.
