I don't know what is so confusing. At a minimum, a Pre-'64 Model 70 is 52 years old. From a lay person's perspective, it doesn't really look any different than any nice '03 sporter, built in the teens.
NFA firearms are an entirely different kettle of fish, and are regulated to the nines. A Winchester Model 70, regardless off it's year of manufacture, hass never been an NFA firearm.
Model 70 Bolt action rifles may look modern, but they are treated no differently than the model '94 Lever Action, or the Model 12 Pump shotgun. The date of Manufacture is the sole determining factor in BATFE's classification.
The following two pages are taken from the most recent Carol Watson Catalog. Carol Watson is an FFL Licensee, and, additionally, is a California gun dealer. Every gun they sell is clearly identified in their sales catalogs as ANTIQUE, C&R, or MODERN.
Look at item No.187: Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Bolt Action Rifle It is clearly identified as C&R
Look at item 192: Post-64 Winchester Model 70 Bolt Action Rifle It, too is classified as C&R. Why? Read the description, where it says Mfg'd 1965. This auction was two weeks ago. Therefore the gun is 51+ years old. CWOC Auction Company has been around a long time. They have attorneys on staff, and are not about to risk their FFL.
I could pull out page after page, showing Model 12 Pump guns, Model '94 Lever guns, and plenty of others manufactured both older and younger the fifty years, and each gun will be accurately designated.
|