Neighbors featherweight pre-64, 30-06 Model 70.

[csharps]

My neighbor wants me to buy his Model 70 which he purchased new.  The stock is scratched and shows use.  The barrel and action look okay no missing bluing etc.  What would be a fair offer.  Serial number is 4582xx
Thanks Charlie

[Savage_99]

The pre 64 M70 Featherweights are, to me, a very desireable rifle.   In  a private sale we don't pay what the rifle would go for from a dealer.

Give him $500 for the rifle unless its some rare chambering like a .358 and then its worth more.

[jro45]

I have the Featherweight Model 70 in 270 Win Mag. The model 70 is an great rifle.

[Couger]

My neighbor wants me to buy his Model 70 which he purchased new.  The stock is scratched and shows use.  The barrel and action look okay no missing bluing etc.  What would be a fair offer.  Serial number is 4582xx
Thanks Charlie

Many .270 and .30/06 pre-'64 Model 70's that I've known people to own, usually by the original owners - are better guns than can usually be bought 'new' today, and shoot like it!  I'm talking less than an inch-size group at 100yds for a reloader.

If the rifle is in really good shape, $500 is probably a fair offer.

[Hank08]

That serial # was made in 1959.  That rifle in exc. condition would go for over $2000 and in the condition you describe about $1500 and it will only keep going up in value so let your concience be your guide in what you pay for it.  .358, 270, and .264 are worth even more.
H08

[mannyrock]

   
   I very kindly disagree with Hank.  In my opinion, there is no way that anyone would ever pay the seller $1,500 for that rifle as described.  Yes, I understand that it is a pre-64 featherweight in .30-06.  But, as described, the stock will need to be refinished, and that utterly destroys the collector value of a pre-64 Model 70, making it only a really nice shooter.

   I concur with the prior posts, that $500 is a fair starting offer.  If you really really want it, then don't feel bad about going up to $650 or so.  But, I wouldn't pay more. 

  Best regards,

  Mannyrock

[Hank08]

Course, no one can tell without seeing it but NO BLUE WEAR JUST SOME SCRATCHES IN THE STOCK FROM USE  sounds pretty good.  What cal. is it? I couldn't find where cal. was ever mentioned.  My last issue of The Standard Catalog of Firearms is 2006 and it prices a Featherweight as EXC. $1800, very good $1150 (very good will show some blue wear)
prices have gone up several hundred dollars in the last 3 yrs.  also it says for .358, 270, 264 cal. to add 100% to these prices.  The 2003 edition showed EXC. at $1200 increased $600 in those 3 yrs. 2003 to 2006 then Win. closed down and these last 3 yrs. prices have climed even more.  I've seen some less than perfect ones go for over $2000.  Not making prices, just reporting what i see.
H08

[Rangr44]

This thread/post topic line declares the FW to be a .30-06.

As described, it's a $1200 rifle, all day, any day - since the chambering isn't rare, AFAIK.

If it were NIB, which the OP states it isn't, it would be worth well more.

If it was a beater, with extra holes D/T'd, etc - which the OP also doesn't mention as being there, then it would be a $500 gun.

I had a similar situation several years ago with a neighbor of mine, with a different gun at a different value.
I considered my relationship with that neighbor, then told him exactly what I knew it to be worth, and also exactly what I could afford to pay - and left the decision in his hands.

JMO, but that's the only way that both parties will be happy with the outcome.

.

[Hank08]

Thanks, Ranger 44, don't know why i didn't see the 30/06.  I felt the same way that the neighbor should know what the gun was worth and that it was worth more than some thought.
A pre 64 m70 action only, no stock, no barrel now sells for around $500 or more and they are very hard to find.
H08