Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1507

Lot 1507:Documented Winchester Model 70 "Van Orden Sniper" Rifle

May 15th, 2021|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1507

Lot 1507:Documented Winchester Model 70 "Van Orden Sniper" Rifle

May 15th, 2021|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$6,500 - $11,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Rare Documented Winchester Model 70 "Van Orden Sniper" Bolt Action Rifle

Dubbed the "Van Orden Sniper", this is a very rare and obscure version of the Winchester Model 70 rifle. After World War II, retired Marine Corps Colonel George Van Orden opened the Evaluators Gunshop in Triangle, Virginia, outside the Quantico Marine base. Van Orden's shop evaluated and sold equipment to police forces and to the military as well as to civilians all over the world. After the Korean War, the company began selling the special ordered Model 70 rifles in his own favorite configuration, which became known as the "Van Orden Sniper". During World War II, then Captain Van Orden and Chief Gunner Calvin Lloyd recommended the use of the Winchester Model 70 rifle with an Unertl 8x scope as a sniper rifle to the Marine Cops Equipment Board President, however, wartime production delays caused the Corps to favor the Springfield Model 1903A1 rifle. Although dubbed the Van Orden Sniper rifle, the rifle was never purchased by the Corps. The key features of a Van Orden Sniper rifle such as this example, are a clip slotted receiver, 24" medium heavy target barrel chambered in 30-06, and a heavy marksman type stock as well as Lyman scope blocks (not included with this rifle). This rifle is equipped with a Williams rear peep sight and an empty front sight block, sling swivels, and a trigger shoe. The rifle shows standard Winchester barrel and receiver markings, including the factory oval proofs. This rifle is listed by serial number as a Van Orden Sniper which was sold to Haggerty Tool, of Detroit, MI, in June of 1955. on page 41 of Norman Chandler's "Death from Afar, Volume 1."

ConditionExcellent, retaining 97% plus original blue finish with a few very light scratches on the metal surfaces. The wood is very fine with a few scratches and pressure dents and an area of absent wood under the rear peep sight. Mechanically excellent.
Details
ManufacturerWinchester
Model70
TypeRifle
Serial number
ClassCurio & Relic Long Gun
Caliber / Gauge30-06
Barrel24 inch heavy round
Finishblue
Stockwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views3713
Catalog page347
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 1322Documented U.S.M.C. Winchester Model 70 Rifle
View Lot
Lot 381World War II Era U.S. Winchester Model 70 Rifle with Scope
View Lot
Lot 1122Winchester Model 70 XTR Sporter Bolt Action Rifle with Scope
View Lot
Lot 1103Winchester Model 70 Bolt Action Rifle with Scope
View Lot
Show More