Winchester Safari Model 70 Serial Number

[mdsalern]

I traded for a Winchester Model 70 in .375 H&H today. It is an Olin Rifle and has the serial of 35GZR1105X (last number omitted), could anyone help me figure out when it was made? Or any other information?

Thank you,
Michael

 

[fourfive8]

That's likely an FN era late serial # (post 2006) and definitely not New Haven. Read carefully the barrel markings. Might be mis-reading the stamps. Could it be "Ogden"... "BACO"... as in Browning headquarters, Ogden Utah? It's going to be tough to find any info definitive info unless someone else has a close numbered rifle of known DOM. Olin Corporation (Olin Winchester), located in E Alton IL, makes "Winchester" branded ammo. Never has made guns

 

[mdsalern]

I misinterpreted the markings. The BACO Featherweight I traded it for it was marked as such. Thank you for the help.

 

[AZDAVE]

here you go

Dates -

winchestercollector.org

 

[mdsalern]

Thanks Dave. Tried it. It comes up as 1936. Don’t think that is correct.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

It looks like an FN rifle to me. Most new haven rifles have blued extractors and a folding rear sight. Also if you unscrew the cocking piece assembly, a new haven rifle will have coarse square shouldered threads, FN rifles will have fine tapered threads.
I’m guessing it’s a South Carolina FN.

 

[mdsalern]

It looks like an FN rifle to me. Most new haven rifles have blued extractors and a folding rear sight. Also if you unscrew the cocking piece assembly, a new haven rifle will have coarse square shouldered threads, FN rifles will have fine tapered threads.
I’m guessing it’s a South Carolina FN.

 

[mdsalern]

They look like fine threads to me. As long as I got which part right! Haha. Thank you. Just excited about the new rifle and didn’t know much.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

That looks like an FN to me. Here is my New Haven 375 cocking piece. Notice the spring and retainer are a little different as well.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Nice rifle by the way.

 

[mdsalern]

Thank you. I got lucky. Appreciate the help and wealth of knowledge.

 

[fourfive8]

Yes I’ll second that- nice rifle! And Yes, it is definitely marked Olin - fairly rare and short lived mark on Winchester firearms I think. The trademark history on Winchesters during the Winchester - USRAC - Herstal - FN - Browning flux is confusing. Even some of the simple G prefix serial dates are skewed and records sketchy. Add the complexity of moving to SC along with mingling of international factories and assembly facilities and yikes. Still I think best bet may be to find someone with a similarly serialed M70 who knows the approx. DOM. Also there are Winchester forums out there with members who may have more inside info. Calling Winchester wouldn’t hurt but likely a long shot. Be interested to hear any results… late Winchester serials are nearly impossible to pin down.

 

[mdsalern]

I will post any further results.

 

[ldmay375]

I will post any further results.

Is the trigger a MOA, or older classic style ?

 

[mdsalern]

I don’t know the difference. Do these help?

 

[ldmay375]

That is a MOA trigger.
The visibility of the spring is the indicator.

 

[ldmay375]

The MOA triggers are the Browning influence/ box triggers.

 

[mdsalern]

So…2008 or after, if that’s the correct year it was introduced.

 

[ldmay375]

I do not recall the exact year. But definitely after Winchester reopened.
The serial numbering with digits and then letters, is also an indicator.

 

[ldmay375]

If I recall correctly, the MOA trigger was part of their reopening media blitz / advertising campaign.