To this end, Winchester sent a letter to the U.S. Marine Corps Quartermaster on July 20, 1942, indicating it had 1,944 Model 70 .30 Government 06 Rifles on hand, which we can offer you subject to prior sale., Most of these rifles had 24" barrels, but there were 105 with 20" barrels. They are a little tedious to adjust but have very clear glass and a very fine cross hair recticle. Initially his preferred rifle was a pre 1964 (Winchester quality after this time declined) Model 70 Winchester M40 bolt action in 30-06 (he preferred the 30-06 over the, then, current 7.62x51 Nato . I have a 53 heavy barreled action that needs the same treatment. On this occasion he used a .50 caliber Browning M2 machine gun, to which he attached his scope with a bracket he designed himself. Carlos Hathcock . The Model 70s began to be replaced by Remington Model 700 rifles, which were later standardized by the Marine Corps as the M40. The Model 70s suitability as a sniping rifle during the Vietnam War should be unquestioned, as the most famous and revered sniper of the war, Carlos Hathcock, used the rifle with remarkable effectiveness. He only used the .50 M2 on less than a dozen shots. On September 16, 1969, Hathcock's career as a sniper came to a sudden end along Highway 1, north of Landing Zone Baldy, when the LVTP-5 he was riding on struck an anti-tank mine. You can Cerakote the stainless barrela good artist can pretty much replicate any finish. And thus, with regard to sniper rifles, most of the US military inventory in the mid-1960s consisted of well-worn Model 1903A4 Springfields and M1C and M1D Garands, all of which dated from WWII, or perhaps the Korean War. NRA photo. Sniper historian Peter R. Senich reported: [A]ccording to firsthand accounts, a fair number of unauthorized telescope-equipped personal and Marine Corps property Model 70s brought the reality of war to Japanese combat personnel during the early stages of World War II in the South Pacific. The U.S. Army also procured a limited number of Model 70 rifles during World War II, but little is known about their subsequent utilization, and it appears they saw virtually no actual use.The end of World War II essentially spelled the end of the bolt-action as a front-line U.S. military service rifle, but its inherent accuracy was too important an attribute to totally abandon, and bolt guns enjoyed a new lease on life as sniping rifles. They were mothballed after NRA changed match rules to limit service personnel to shooting service rifles. To avoid contributing to the prolific problem of counterfeit rare model 70s,we decline to build replica model 70s of any kind. Springfield Armory's M-21 and M-25 are the highest quality precision rifles built on the M-14action. By his courage, aggressive leadership, and total devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Staff Sergeant Hathcock reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[29]. The report concluded that the best rifle/scope combination for use by U.S. Marine snipers was the Winchester Model 70 topped with an 8X target scope made by the Unertl Co. Throughout its life, the Model 70 has been offered in . Hathcock held the record for the highest bounty and killed every known Vietnamese marksman who sought him to try to collect it. I hope you don't mind but I was able to move my eyes beyond and it looks like you are fortunate to enjoy some beautiful shooting area if perhaps a bit cold. Hathcock put a round in her with his bolt-action Winchester Model 70 30.06 (7.62mm) rifle and she collapsed on the ground. Using this rifle, we shot at increments of 100 yards, all the way out to 1,000 to test our modern-day sniper skills. Just 55 days short of the 20 years that would have made him eligible for regular retirement pay, he received a permanent disability separation. Born in 1942, Hathcock enlisted in the Marine Corps on May 20, 1959--the very day he turned 17. Hathcock used the M40 during the Vietnam War and is credited with numerous kills, including a record-setting 2,500-meter shot. This was standard issue on his Winchester Model 70 sniper rifle, and he even used the same scope on the .50 cal. Gunnery Sgt. Carlos used a Winchester Model 70 .30-06 match ammunition loaded with 173-grain boat-tailed bullets, also used an 8-power Unertl scope. Carlos Hathcock holds the Marine Corps record for the longest confirmed sniper kill shot. It has an iconic place in American sporting culture and has been held in high regard by shooters since it was introduced in 1936, earning the moniker "The Rifleman's Rifle". A 1951 U.S. Marine Corps report on the subject categorically rejected the procurement of any new Model 70 sniper rifles: There is no Marine Corps requirement for a special rifle for use by snipers in the Marine Corps. They are fragile and the external rings may or may not offer as fine adjustments for windage and elevation. Awesome to hear/see when someone has their shit together. May also want to read this American Rifleman article: Thank you! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Wi392204?hash=item465d61a98c:g:VPMAAOSwCGVX~6vg, The Snobbiest Town in The Snobbiest State in the N, https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2011/3/21/the-military-model-70/, Jim Cloward built Winchester Model 70 308 McMillan Urban Camo stock. A one of a kind rifle! The WWII U.S.M.C. Carlos Hathcock with his Winchester Model 70 rifle. This is an original military issue Remington M40 sniper rifle brought back from Vietnam by a Marine officer, who later had it signed by Carlos "White Feather" Hathcock in 1992 at a Former Marine Association event. One Marine who came from just such a rifle team environment and went to Vietnam, where he used a similar Model 70 for a time was Gunnery Sgt. US Army Ordnance (Retired), Please note, comments must be approved before they are published, These rifles are not considered suitable for use as sniper rifles. Im sure with a lot of practice and tons of time behind the rifle, it could become almost second nature, but for the time we had it, it wasnt something to brag about. Ultimately neither of these proposed rifles was ultimately adopted. Carlos Hathcock accepting the Wimbledon Cup after winning the NRA National Matches. Who has the most kills in the Vietnam War? Adelbert F. Waldron III stacked up 113 enemies using the XM21 system. These two historic Winchester Model 70 rifles bearing serial numbers "1" and "2" are now being offered for sale by Sportsman's Legacy. Before deploying to South Vietnam, Hathcock had won shooting championships, including matches at Camp Perry and the Wimbledon Cup. Decorations. The "U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1903," better-known as the M1903 Springfield, has become one of the most popular U.S. military small arms to collect. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. S. Jay Ratliff After ensuring his escape route was in place, he took his shot. Adopting the Winchester Model 70 as the ideal Marine sniper rifle was a concept that had been floated by the Corps tactical marksmanship experts as far back as the early 1940s. The rifle was already being used by Marines snipers in Vietnam. The Model 70 was largely based on the Model 54, and is today still highly regarded by shooters and is often called "The. Would you like to visit Winchester International? Above, Marine rifleman Dalton Gunderson eyes the enemy through an 8X Unertl scope on top of his Special Services-procured Winchester Model 70 in Vietnam. The anodized aluminum Unertl target mounts have a blue-brown patina that is typical of these WWII production mounts. In 2016, an armorer with the Pennsylvania National Guard contacted us regarding a .308 target rifle used by their competitive match shooters. Typically enemy soldiers were paid anywhere from $8 to $2,000 for taking down an American sniper. The US government eventually purchased additional model 70s andofficially sanctioned them for combat duty. The medium-heavy target barrel is a post war replacement. In the background is radio operator Jerry Dunomes. Eventually, there were likely thousands of model 70s in military service, with the exact number unknown. Instead of running for the sniper, the soldiers . I'm not. Born in 1942, Hathcock enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on May 20, 1959the very day he turned 17. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II joined the Corps in 1959 at age 17. In turn, the Winchester factory had submitted a sniper prototype of the Model 70 fitted with a 10-round detachable box magazine to the US Army back in the early 1950s. And they did see duty. My Hathcock tribute is based on what he considered the "ideal" rifle as discussed in his authorized biography, "White Feather". He was the only child of Carlos and Agnes Hathcock. These relatively few Model 70 rifles soon became favored for their lighter weight, refined handling, and superior accuracy compared to the Springfield rifle. This is the rifle that Gy. The second lot of rifles used by Land and his teams in Vietnam were also Winchester Model 70 target guns in .30-06 Sprg. Nicknamed The White Feather for the small plume he wore on his boonie cap, Hathcocks incredible marksmanship skills soon struck fear in the hearts of the enemy, so much so that the Viet Cong reportedly placed a bounty of $30,000 on his head. Its almost like comparing your 1980s television to todays HD plasma flat screen, or VHS to Blue-ray. sniper kill. Carlos Norman Hathcock II (May 20, 1942 February 22, 1999) was a United States Marine Corps (USMC) sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. .30-06 Winchester Model 70 National Match Rifles equipped with a medium heavy barrel for use during the 1955 National Matches. The recipient of the memo replied on Feb. 7, 1955: The total number of weapons required for the 1955 Matches is 204. It has been confirmed that the U.S. Army purchased in excess of 200 Model 70 rifles between 1954 and 1959, mainly from Van Ordens firm. Winchester requested the Marines evaluate the rifles generally for suitability of use in combat, and specifically for use as sniper rifles. The Marine Corps clearly believed that the existing Model 1903, tuned to match grade, was a superior sniping rifle as compared to the Model 70. The value of these rifles mean that even if we did own one, we'd probably be reluctant to shoot it. On 10 July 1969, Carlos Hathcock and Ron McAbee were providing security for convoys along Western Route 4. On some occasions, however, he used a different weapon: the Browning M2 machine gun, on which he mounted a 10X Unertl scope, using a bracket of his own design. With this rifle, Carlos describes killing 7 more Viet Cong soldiers and shared the 8th VC with McAbee. You know it's funny how just a simple duplex reticle, like what you find in most scopes can be a real help in ranging and holding. [44] Turner Saddlery similarly honored Hathcock by producing a line of leather rifle slings based on his design. The group started running towards Hathcock and Land. Unertl 8X telescopic sight has a charcoal blue finish and is fitted with anodized aluminum Unertl target mounts on Winchester bases. Carlos Hathcock, the most celebrated US sniper in history, preferred the model 70 over a host of other rifles at his disposal, using it extensively in combat during the Vietnam war, and in Wimbledon matches at Camp Perry in the years that followed. The USMC was still using the Model 70s as both target rifle for international match competition and pseudo-sniper rifle work . He did win the Wimbledon Cup with it after all. He had dreamed of being a U.S. Marine his whole life and enlisted in 1959 at just 17 years old. According to Winchester documents, these rifles were shipped to the Marine Corps on May 29, 1942. The Model 70s also drew the attention of USMC snipers and their chief sponsor - Brigadier General George Van Orden. The M40 (wood stock R700 & Redfield) was around but he was VERY familiar with the M70 target rifle as part of the USMC Rifle Team. Carlos Hathcock was born on May 20, 1942, in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Thats perfect! *A USMC sniper uses his Unertl scope to search for enemy snipers in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam, circa 1967. The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action, sporting rifle that can be used for hunting or shooting. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Yeah it was, it was missing the an action screw and one that held on the trigger guard. In 1967 Gunny Carlos Hathcock set the record for the longest. Thanks! Carlos Hathcock, in Vietnam (left) and receiving the Silver Star (right). Van Ordens rifles also enjoyed some measure of success on the target range, as Marine Col. Walter Walsh won the 1952 National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, with one of the Van Orden Snipers.. It is a Model 70 National Match version made before 1940. What type of rifle did Carlos Hathcock use? The Korean War was the last conflict in which the World War II-vintage bolt-action M1903A1/Unertl sniper rifle was employed. The Winchester Model 70is abolt-actionsporting/huntingrifle. His parents separated so he grew up with his grandmother in Geyer Springs, Pulaski County. All it would take is an '06 reamer if one was inclined. Carlos Hathcock usually used a Winchester Model 70 in .30 .06. The rifle excelled in USMC sniper trials and target competitions, making it the preferred rifle of most USMC snipers. The Unertl Scope used during that time didnt have the glass clarification that we have become so accustomed to. The owner had provided us with the stock already featuring a nicely aged appearance, which we maintained in the build. On May 20th, 1959, at 17 years of age, Carlos N. Hathcock II fulfilled his childhood dream by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives. The rifle is in excellent condition showing only . [23][failed verification] This effort took four days and three nights without sleep and with constant inch-by-inch crawling. OVERALL LENGTH: 44.8 in. It would be hard to find a better example of this classic Marine sniper rifle from the Vietnam War. In the early 1940s, says a Marine Corps spokesman, we were advised that a Unertl 8X scope on the Winchester Model 70 was the best sniping combination, but the 03 was available in quantity, so we used it.The Model 70 rifles sent to Vietnam for use as sniping arms were from the stocks originally procured for Marine Corps match use, chiefly from George Van Orden. Not only were we pleased to help supply them with the correct part, but we were more pleased to see this aging model 70 remain in active service, rather than face an inglorious ending as scrap metal. Due to the extreme injuries he suffered in Vietnam, he was in nearly constant pain, but continued to dedicate himself to teaching snipers. The late Marine sniper set the record in 1967 with a M-2 .50 caliber Browning machine gun.. Chief Warrant Officer The Model 70 was largely based on theModel 54, and is today still highly regarded by shooters and is often called The Riflemans Rifle. The sniper system shoots theM72 match ammunition loaded with 173-grain boat-tailed bullets (.30-06). The U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1C is sufficiently accurate for use by snipers in the Marine Corps.Despite this rebuff, the Marine Corps report went on to state that [the] Model 70 Winchester is the most accurate American made, Caliber .30 on the market.During this same period, the U.S. Army also considered procurement of a modified Model 70 for sniping use as reflected in a memo from the chief of ordnance dated Oct. 30, 1951, which states in part: Any further consideration of the Model 70 by the Army was rejected. Tribute rifles have the general appearance and build spec of the original Marine rifles, where replica rifles attempt to be correct to the original rifles in every way, including a serial number which falls into the correct date range. His primary rifle was one of the Corps Winchester Model 70 target rifles, chambered in 30-06 and topped with an 8-power Unertl target scope in an externally adjustable mount. Charles Henderson, in Marine Sniper, his biography of legendary Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock, tells of a 1967 incident when Hathcock, used two shots from a Browning M2 50 caliber machine gun to dispatch a Viet Cong soldier . The M72 173 grain .30-06 was something that I could familiarize myself with as it is fairly similar to the M118LR. You must log in or register to reply here. On this occasion he used a .50 caliber Browning M2 machine gun, to which he attached his scope with a bracket he designed himself. Composite stock of course. Accurate in every detail, enjoyed reading this. The Unertl telescopic sight is in excellent condition. FollowingWWII, popularity of the model 70 with Marine Corps snipers grew, eventually drawing the attention of other snipers from other branches of the military as well. The ranging peice was plastic and many distort over the years. Includes 10 round box magazine standard plus extra 5 round magazine, and hard case. The company made its humble start in 1963in Gussago, Italywhen Giuseppe Pietta made a commitment to produce guns as authentic and true-to-original as possible. [43] In 2002, this record was broken by Canadian snipers (Rob Furlong and Arron Perry) from the third battalion of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry during the War in Afghanistan. These scopes now used in Vietnam are the same scopes on newer rifles. The fact that the guys using this rifle shot at distances exceeding 800 yards (1000+) on human sized targets, is a great accomplishment in itself. A Lyman micrometer sight base is mounted on the left side of the receiver. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. [34] After the war, a friend showed Hathcock a passage written by Ernest Hemingway: "Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and like it, never really care for anything else thereafter." Gunny Hathcock's venerable Winchester could certainly tell a tale or two. Hathcock used for much of his time in Vietnam. "White Feather" as he was called by the North Vietnamese . These rifles were subsequently used for recreation and target shooting. From an early age, he was fond of firearms. Regardless, the fact that there were a number of Model 1903 Marine Corps match rifles, along with spare parts, already on-hand resulted in the idea of a standardized Model 70 sniping rifle being doomed from the start.Despite the Marine Corps firm rejection of the Model 70, some of these rifles did, in fact, serve overseas in combat, albeit on an unofficial basis. It was long thought that Hathcock, armed with his Winchester Model 70 .30-06 caliber rifle equipped with an 8-power Unertl scope, was the deadliest sniper in Marine Corps history, but that. It is used by not only sportsmen, but military and police snipers as well. The stock is in very fine condition. "He got that right," Hathcock said. First rate article outlining the service of the Model 70. Keep an eye on the CMP Auction Site. He set up on a hill close to the treeline, 700 yards from where his target would be. AFAIK, Crane only made two of these on the 721 action. Enjoy the photos and let us know if there's a special model 70 project we can take on for you! In an effort to meet every model 70 owner's needs, we are pleased to offer rifle parts which span this broad spectrum of conditions. Mil Dots give you an accurate unit of measurement and a way of compensating for gravity and wind drift. As events transpired, the Model 70s pressed into service as sniping arms, especially during the Vietnam War, were really never meant to be more than a stop-gap or interim measure until a standardized sniper rifle could be procured. It was missing a bolt part and the National Guard had designated it for "decommissioning" (a.k.a destruction). [2] At one point he was nearly bitten by a bamboo viper, but had the presence of mind to avoid moving and giving up his position. I did all the other work. Agree sandwarrior there was a thread on old old hide many moons ago regarding this. While most early model 70 sniper rifles were standard rifles, modified by the Marines for sniper use, this would not be the case for subsequent Winchester rifles coming into US military service. This listing is for a preowned Winchester 70 bolt action rifle chambered in 300 Win Mag with a 3+1 capacity and a 26" barrel in . I have a correct 70 in my safe I have wanted to do something with but reluctant to go the Unertl route as I dont think its practical as a shooter but a cool conversation peice. We want you to receive a part which looks exactly right on your vintage rifle, or is precisely what you need to complete your custom masterpiece. The price is set at USD$1,750,000.00. [2] Hathcock married Josephine "Jo" Bryan (ne Broughton; 19302016) on the date of the Marine Corps birthday, November 10, 1962. He also used on occasion a Remington M40, basically a Remington ADL Varmint 308 rifle that was produced specially for the USMC in 1965 or so. This was confirmed in McGuires article: The rifle team of the 3rd Marine Division had been using the Model 70 with the heavy barrel and the heavy Marksman stock. 134,606 views Dec 6, 2020 Winchester Model 70 (.30-06) rifle review in Hindi. The metal was reblued as required. [10], One of Hathcock's most famous accomplishments was shooting an enemy sniper through the enemy's own rifle scope, hitting him in the eye and killing him. During trips to Mississippi, he started developing an interest in hunting and long-range shooting. In 1975, Hathcock's health began to deteriorate, and he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The left side of the barrel has the standard Winchester legend and trademark followed by: "MODEL 70-30-06 SPRG.-". His parents separated so he grew up with his grandmother in Geyer Springs, Pulaski County. IIRC, Remington did this with some of their rifles at one time. [5], The PAVN placed a bounty of US $30,000 on Hathcock's life for killing so many of its soldiers. [16], Hathcock stated in interviews that he killed a female Viet Cong platoon leader called "the Apache woman," with a reputation for torturing captive U.S. Marines, around the firebase at Hill 55. The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action sporting/hunting rifle. He and other Marines who were riding on top of the vehicle were sprayed with flaming gasoline caused by the explosion.
Erik Voorhees Net Worth,
Onondaga Country Club Membership Cost,
Kassam Stadium Covid Vaccination Centre,
Articles C