1955 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Value

2nd Amend Defend · December 5, 2018, 06:17 PM

Hello all, as the title states I have a 1955 Winchester Featherweight .270 with a Lyman All American 4x scope that was passed down to me by my father. I'm considering selling it and I'm having a difficult time putting a value on it. It's in remarkable condition for a 63 year old gun, the stock is flawlessly beautiful, the barrel has a few un-noticeable imperfections, and the scope does have a couple of deep scratches and wear marks. Serial number: 353866

Can you guys give me an idea of what its value is?

I've attached photos for reference!

Thanks for the help!

30Cal · December 5, 2018, 11:05 PM

You're going to take a ding for the aftermarket buttpad. A nice intact stock will run about $300 these days... Those scopes in very good condition run about $100 these days on their own but yours is not what I'd call an adder here.

Hope that helps. It's a great clean working rifle in any case. Maybe $250 below what a factory Featherweight of that similar timeframe and condition would fetch?

taylorce1 · December 5, 2018, 11:16 PM

It is what would be considered a shooter grade pre 64 and not a collector. Prices range, but $700-800 would probably be a reasonable expectation. It's also it is chambered in probably the 2nd most popular cartridge behind .30-06.

2nd Amend Defend · December 6, 2018, 11:12 AM

Yea, I'm sure dad put that butt pad on because she kicks like a mule!

2nd Amend Defend · December 6, 2018, 11:13 AM

Many thanks for the info on value!

Pathfinder45 · December 6, 2018, 12:18 PM

That rifle is as old as me. If my Dad had left it to me, I'd keep it, hunt with it, and hand it down to the next generation. But that's me, and I like the things that remain from my Dad as a reminder of him. Also, the model 70 is my favorite bolt action.

2nd Amend Defend · December 6, 2018, 04:41 PM

Pathfinder45 - I agree with you. I'm not a hunter and more into pistols. He also left me a 1972 Belgium Browning 9mm high-power that is my absolute favorite gun which I will keep forever. Every time I take it out for a play day, someone wants to buy it.

jmr40 · December 6, 2018, 08:22 PM

If I owned that rifle I'd probably not sell it. They don't get enough interest to be worth much money. I'd keep it either as is, or use it as the basis for semi-custom rifle.

**Mike Irwin** · December 7, 2018, 07:26 AM

I've seen a couple of the Featherweights in .270 sell in the $700-$900 range, which is kind of surprising given that the standard Model 70 in .270 from the same time usually brings $1,200 or more.

A friend got $1,100 for his Dad's .30-06 Featherweight about 8 years ago at auction. I fired it a couple of times and no thank you. It was like getting punched with a pile driver.

Drm50 · December 14, 2018, 10:22 PM

Yes $700-$800 for shooter pre 64 m70s either FW or standard. That doesn't include some of the rarer chamberings. Shooters in m70s just like shooter m12s are a soft market. The new
generation is not buying them. I think they were the finest factory made rifle ever produced
I was into them heavy and had 22 of them. They weren't a collection the were a hoarde. I
didn't have any of the rare chamberings. Half of them were 30/06 & 270s. Only ones I can
complain about were the 264s.

Don Fischer · December 15, 2018, 01:19 PM

Your dad's rifle handed down and your thinking of selling it? My kid better take the gun's I handed down to him to his grave! I don't believe the pre 64's are worth that much other than to collector's. I don't think they ever were for that matter but then I'm not a collector! You can buy a number of different make rifle's today for far less that will shoot every bit as well if not better and will out last you unless your just an uncaring slob. In that case no rifle will out last you! Of course if the only thing your concerned with is how much you can move it for, well that's a different story. First thing you need is an interested buyer willing to pay more than the rifle is actually worth!

hounddog409 · December 21, 2018, 10:27 AM

This. I would never sell any of the guns handed down from my father. Plan to hand them down to my son at some point.

December 5, 2018, 11:05 PM	#2
30Cal Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 1,264	You're going to take a ding for the aftermarket buttpad. A nice intact stock will run about $300 these days... Those scopes in very good condition run about $100 these days on their own but yours is not what I'd call an adder here. Hope that helps. It's a great clean working rifle in any case. Maybe $250 below what a factory Featherweight of that similar timeframe and condition would fetch? Last edited by 30Cal; December 5, 2018 at 11:13 PM.

December 5, 2018, 11:16 PM	#3
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,245	It is what would be considered a shooter grade pre 64 and not a collector. Prices range, but $700-800 would probably be a reasonable expectation. It's also it is chambered in probably the 2nd most popular cartridge behind .30-06. __________________ NRA Life Member

December 6, 2018, 08:22 PM	#8
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	If I owned that rifle I'd probably not sell it. They don't get enough interest to be worth much money. I'd keep it either as is, or use it as the basis for semi-custom rifle. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

December 7, 2018, 07:26 AM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,388	I've seen a couple of the Featherweights in .270 sell in the $700-$900 range, which is kind of surprising given that the standard Model 70 in .270 from the same time usually brings $1,200 or more. A friend got $1,100 for his Dad's .30-06 Featherweight about 8 years ago at auction. I fired it a couple of times and no thank you. It was like getting punched with a pile driver. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 6, 2018, 11:12 AM	#4
2nd Amend Defend Member Join Date: November 28, 2018 Posts: 36	Yea, I'm sure dad put that butt pad on because she kicks like a mule!

December 6, 2018, 11:13 AM	#5
2nd Amend Defend Member Join Date: November 28, 2018 Posts: 36	Many thanks for the info on value!

December 6, 2018, 12:18 PM	#6
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	That rifle is as old as me. If my Dad had left it to me, I'd keep it, hunt with it, and hand it down to the next generation. But that's me, and I like the things that remain from my Dad as a reminder of him. Also, the model 70 is my favorite bolt action.

December 6, 2018, 04:41 PM	#7
2nd Amend Defend Member Join Date: November 28, 2018 Posts: 36	Pathfinder45 - I agree with you. I'm not a hunter and more into pistols. He also left me a 1972 Belgium Browning 9mm high-power that is my absolute favorite gun which I will keep forever. Every time I take it out for a play day, someone wants to buy it.

December 14, 2018, 10:22 PM	#10
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,380	Yes $700-$800 for shooter pre 64 m70s either FW or standard. That doesn't include some of the rarer chamberings. Shooters in m70s just like shooter m12s are a soft market. The new generation is not buying them. I think they were the finest factory made rifle ever produced I was into them heavy and had 22 of them. They weren't a collection the were a hoarde. I didn't have any of the rare chamberings. Half of them were 30/06 & 270s. Only ones I can complain about were the 264s.

December 15, 2018, 01:19 PM	#11
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	Your dad's rifle handed down and your thinking of selling it? My kid better take the gun's I handed down to him to his grave! I don't believe the pre 64's are worth that much other than to collector's. I don't think they ever were for that matter but then I'm not a collector! You can buy a number of different make rifle's today for far less that will shoot every bit as well if not better and will out last you unless your just an uncaring slob. In that case no rifle will out last you! Of course if the only thing your concerned with is how much you can move it for, well that's a different story. First thing you need is an interested buyer willing to pay more than the rifle is actually worth!

December 21, 2018, 10:27 AM	#12
hounddog409 Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2015 Posts: 115	This. I would never sell any of the guns handed down from my father. Plan to hand them down to my son at some point.