DETERMINING IF HAVING A PRE OR POST 64 WINCHESTER MODEL 70 FRONT SIGHT (NEEDING TO KNOW)

CountryFolk

CountryFolk

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I have a front sight for a Winchester Model 70 that came with everything but the hood.

This seller’s listing details did not specify if its a Pre or a Post 1964 front sight.

Now that I’m trying to locate the proper hood for it, I’m seeing many seller’s listing details whereby specifying their hood is only for the pre or for the post 64 sights.

…But are the Pre and the Post 64 base mounts of the front sights on a Winchester 70 the same as each other, and so its only the sight hoods that are different from each other?

I came across quite a few forums that inform people to use their gun’s serial number in order to determine if the front sight is a pre or a post 64, but so far I cant find any of them giving the information for how to know when not having the Winchester Model 70 rifle to look at its serial number.

And so I dont have a Winchester model 70 rifle for me to then look at the serial number…. I just have a Model 70 front sight and so I need to know how to identify it so I can match up the proper hood for it

The following pics are the actual of my front sight:
 
Last edited:
Screenshot 2025-05-18 191136.jpg
 
I have two Pre-64 Model 70's in the safe, a 1949 and a 1952. Leaving for work now, but if your question isn't answered by this evening, I'll dig them out and snap a pic.
 
no4mk1t said:
I have two Pre-64 Model 70's in the safe, a 1949 and a 1952. Leaving for work now, but if your question isn't answered by this evening, I'll dig them out and snap a pic.
Click to expand...
Sounds good. Thank you :)
 
The one with the hood is the 1949.

Pre-64 rifles had integral front sight bases. I understand the Featherweights had soldered on bases as the barrel was too thin to D&T. The screw on bases began with post 64 production at serial number 700,000.

Here's what the internet has to say about hoods.

The front sight hood on pre-64 Winchester Model 70s differs from post-64 models in a few key ways:

  • Pre-64 Models:
    • The hood was tapered at both ends, giving it a more streamlined look.
    • It was designed to fit the integral front sight ramp, which was machined directly into the barrel.
    • The height of the hood was around 0.710 inches, though slight variations existed over different production years.
  • Post-64 Models:
    • The hood was tapered at one end and squared off at the other, making it visually distinct from earlier versions.
    • It was designed to fit the screw-on Williams sight base, which replaced the integral ramp in 1964.
    • Winchester later switched to an in-house manufactured sight base in 1966, but it retained compatibility with the Williams-style hood.

Hope this helps.

1749066426556.png


1749066445491.png
 
no4mk1t said:
The one with the hood is the 1949.

Pre-64 rifles had integral front sight bases. I understand the Featherweights had soldered on bases as the barrel was too thin to D&T. The screw on bases began with post 64 production at serial number 700,000.

Here's what the internet has to say about hoods.

The front sight hood on pre-64 Winchester Model 70s differs from post-64 models in a few key ways:

  • Pre-64 Models:
    • The hood was tapered at both ends, giving it a more streamlined look.
    • It was designed to fit the integral front sight ramp, which was machined directly into the barrel.
    • The height of the hood was around 0.710 inches, though slight variations existed over different production years.
  • Post-64 Models:
    • The hood was tapered at one end and squared off at the other, making it visually distinct from earlier versions.
    • It was designed to fit the screw-on Williams sight base, which replaced the integral ramp in 1964.
    • Winchester later switched to an in-house manufactured sight base in 1966, but it retained compatibility with the Williams-style hood.

Hope this helps.

View attachment 32540

View attachment 32541
Click to expand...

The message and the pictures were an absolute help!

Thank you very much :)

Out of 7 forum sites over the past week that I have posted my question on, you and 1 other person are the only ones who stuck to the point and provided direct help

Quite a few people were just sending me links to where I could buy the hoods as if my post wasnt clear for me not knowing which hood to buy, or as if I dont know how to do basic searches for where parts are sold

Well hey thanks again and hope ya have a good evening
 
Yes sir!
Glad to be of service.
Hope you find the right hood.

If you haven't had any luck elsewhere, give these guys a call. No fancy website, you have to email or call them old school. They specialize in obsolete parts. I have found stuff there no one else had. They buy out old gun shops and gunsmiths when they die or sell out.

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www.outbackgunparts.com
 
The following pics are what the Winchester M-70 sights are for ...

Savage 110 LA .416 Rem Mag which I have another post here for its start to finish

Savage .416 Rem Mag: Information For Building A Budget Big-Game Rifle ( 416 Remington Magnum )

NOTE: This Gun Doesn't Have To Be A Precision Rifle .... that's the only category that seemed to fit my situation After purchasing a big game rifle which is an early 1950's Remington 721 that was previously converted to a .375 H&H Mag with APEX Match Grade barrel, I ended up liking the gun so...
www.patriotgunbuilders.com www.patriotgunbuilders.com

It has a heavy magnum barrel from Shaw Custom Barrels

I'm not sure if the Winchester 70 rear and front sights will work with the contour of this barrel but I got my fingers crossed.
 
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