This Winchester Model 70 Target Model Rifle was manufactured in 1957. The rifle has a blue finish with medium heavy target barrel. The black walnut, target model, stock has a oil finish with checkered steel buttplate and 1 1/2 inch sling swivels. The forearm has a six-position hand-stop with sling swivel. The rifle is factory drilled and tapped for telescopic target sight bases on the barrel and receiver and is fitted with blocks for a receiver mounted micrometer rear sight and a barrel mounted globe front sight. The left side of the receiver is electro-penciled "U.S./PROPERTY". The electro-penciled U.S. Property markings are identical to the markings found on U.S. Winchester 52C rifles purchased by the military in the late 1950s. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped with the Winchester proof steel markings, "WINCHESTER/TRADEMARK" and "-MODEL-70-30-06-SPFLD". The oval "W/P" Winchester proofmark is stamped on the left side of the barrel and receiver. The serial number "409541" is located on the right side of the receiver. The left side of the matt-finished receiver is roll-stamped: "WINCHESTER/TRADE MARK" in two lines. The underside of the bolt is electro-penciled with the rifle serial number "409541". Purchased for Marine Corps and Army rifle teams during the 1950s, the Model 70 Target Model Rifles were utilized as sniper rifles by both the Army and Marines during the Vietnam War. Page 165 of "THE COMPLETE BOOK OF U.S. SNIPING" by Peter R. Senich shows 3rd Marine Division snipers with firing Model 70 Target Model rifles on the range at Da Nang, Vietnam, in January 1966. On page 163 Senich describes how the 3rd Marine Division Rifle Team Model 70 rifles with target stocks were shipped to Vietnam for issue to Marine snipers. Army and Marine use of Model 70 Target Model rifles is also documented by Senich in "THE LONG RANGE WAR" and "ONE SHOT WAR". Due to their extensive use as sniper rifles during the Vietnam War, examples of U.S. marked, 1950s production, Model 70 Target Model rifles are rare.

Excellent. The rifle retains 98% of the original high polish blue finish on the barrel, trigger guard and buttplate. Finish wear is limited to several very minor scratches on the right side of the barrel and some minor edge wear on the sides of the trigger guard. The receiver retains at least 98% of the matted blue finish. The barrel and receiver markings are crisp. The bolt body has not been polished and the cocking piece, handle and extractor have nearly all of the original blue finish intact. The stock is in excellent overall condition. Wear is limited to several minor dents on the right side of the forearm above the handstop and several shallow bruises below the rear sight base of the left side of the stock. The bore is bright and in excellent condition. This is an excellent example of an original "U.S. PROPERTY" marked Winchester Model 70 Target Model Rifle in the configuration used by Marine and Army snipers during the Vietnam War.