m70 value question (pre-64)

[chet]

A guy with a gun wants to trade it to me for my swarovski 15x56 binos.......

this gun is a M70 featherweight 264WM "westerner" mfg 1962.

I havent held the gun, he's sent me many pictures.
I checked the serial #, legit.
it has an aftermarket recoil pad, and the sight hood is missing.
The finish appears to be original and around 95%.
he claims to be the original owner and says it's been fired approximatly 60 times.

my binos are worth around $1200, I feel that the gun is worth about the same.......

just wanted to get your opinions???????

 

[Oldtrader3]

The 1962-1/2, 1963 Featherweight-Westerner was the only Featherweight to ever have a recoil pad when issued in .264 WM. Are you sure that the recoil pad is not original? This model Featherweight-Westerner was only made for less than a year and if factory original with the 22 inch barrel at 95% condition. IMHO this rifle if original, would be worth a lot more than $1200.

 

[chet]

well, he said that he replaced the pad himself.

I'll post a pic in a few

 

[chet]

here's some pics

 

[DrMike]

chet,

I can't help but think that value wise you'd be taking a significant loss.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Now that I have seen pictures of the rifle, I agree with DrMike.

 

[SJB358]

Nice rifle, but with the short tube, it really won't get everything out of the 264.. Keep your binos buddy! Scotty

 

[WYcoyote]

Only 3116 of these were made according to Roger Rule's "The Rifleman's Rifle".
I saw a pretty nice original one for sale at a Cody WY gunshow for $1600 and seriously considered it for the collector value.
With the changed pad and missing hood $1200 probably isn't too bad, they could be replaced as long as the stock wasn't cut. Just look at how much the more common featherweights are selling for.
So as far as a collector piece maybe an OK deal, not a steal.
But as a shooter, Scotty is spot on.
That's got to be one loud SOB and a flame thrower!