You can pick up a replica of the Unertl Scope online for an MSRP of around $550.00. It might be possible it's real as it came from a Marine officer who served back then, but I don't know how you could ever prove/authenticate one unless you had a document with the serial number on it. Hathcock used for much of his time in Vietnam. The Model 70s also drew the attention of USMC snipers and their chief sponsor - Brigadier General George Van Orden. He stayed in the Marine Corps, but his health continued to decline. They were intended primarily as match rifles and were not procured for use as sniper rifles. My Hathcock tribute. Receiver is engraved with likeness of Carlos Hathcock's signature, along with the White Feather logo. [6] The Viet Cong and PAVN called Hathcock Lng Trng, translated as "White Feather", because of the white feather he kept in a band on his bush hat. On some occasions, however, he used a different weapon: the M2 Browning machine gun, on which he mounted an 8X Unertl scope, using a bracket made by metalworkers of the SeaBees . The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt action sporting rifle. I had always thought that long tube scopes were originally used a long time ago and were more or less obsolete. To avoid contributing to the prolific problem of counterfeit rare model 70s,we decline to build replica model 70s of any kind. RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water. The only problem was the fact that this scope reticle did not have something that all snipers use with modern-day sniper scopes, Mil Dots. We at Winchester Repeating Arms wish to take this opportunity to salute all those who have answered our nations call to serve. As was the case during World War II, the Marine Corps considered procuring some Winchester Model 70 rifles for sniping use in Korea, but these results were the same as before. [5], The PAVN placed a bounty of US $30,000 on Hathcock's life for killing so many of its soldiers. Gunnery Sgt. While recovering, Hathcock received the Purple Heart. So if you are looking to own the first two Model 70's ever made then these are of interest to . The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action sporting/hunting rifle. The metal was reblued as required. These two Garand sniper rifles were the mainstay of the U.S. militarys sniper rifle inventory until the early 1960s when the United States became increasingly involved in the conflict in Southeast Asia.The Springfield M1903A1 rifle fitted with an 8X Unertl scope was the only bolt-action sniping rifle to see any substantive use in the hands of U.S. Marines during the Korean War. If one was to follow the change of power procedures described above, it gives an incredible latitude to the scopes use. [2] Hathcock married Josephine "Jo" Bryan (ne Broughton; 19302016) on the date of the Marine Corps birthday, November 10, 1962. These later rifles were delivered to the US military already modified to be sniper rifles, including a heavy barrel and accurized stock. It was missing a bolt part and the National Guard had designated it for "decommissioning" (a.k.a destruction). NRA photo. Although suffering from severe burns to his face, trunk, and arms and legs, Staff Sergeant Hathcock assisted the injured Marines in exiting the burning vehicle and moving to a place of relative safety. Serial numbers were in the approximate 41,000 to 50,000 range, and the rifles had 24" sporter barrels with leaf sights, sporter-checkered stocks with steel buttplates, 1" sling swivels and leather slings.Shortly after the government acquired these rifles, Winchester reported that all .30 Government 06 Rifles are now frozen under War Production Board Limitation Orders. The company obviously wanted to sell as many of the Model 70s remaining in its inventory as possible. Douglas still produces the same barrel they supplied to the Marines in the early 1940s, which makes easy work of getting one key aspect of this build exactlyright. The author says Carlos used a Model 70 Winchester with a long tube Unertl scope. Btn., 7th Marines, under young Marine Capt. Price: $25,000.00. [20] During a volunteer mission days before the end of his first deployment, he crawled over 1,500 yards of field to shoot a PAVN general.[who? He and other Marines who were riding on top of the vehicle were sprayed with flaming gasoline caused by the explosion. You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.. Through the PX system in Okinawa, Lands NCOs bought mounts, rings and scopes. The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock, II (MCSN: 1873109), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Sniper, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 16 September 1969. 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. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy drew a clear line in the sand in his inaugural address. 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. He only used the .50 M2 on less than a dozen shots. [7][8][9] After a platoon of Vietnamese snipers was sent to hunt down "White Feather", many Marines in the same area donned white feathers to deceive the enemy. 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. I did all the other work. During the Vietnam War, Marine Corps Veteran Carlos Hathcock had 93 confirmed kills of North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong personnel. Wow. 1942 dated receiver, with a 56 dated WRA barrel, mismatched bolt, all the metal looks like it's been refnished, and the stock has been beat to crap and then heavily sanded. The scarcity of these rifles mean few of us will ever get a chance to own one. He was honored by having a rifle named after him: a variant of the M21 dubbed the Springfield Armory M25 White Feather, for the nickname "White Feather" given to Hathcock by the North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN). A one of a kind rifle! The matte black LR/T weighs 19.5 ounces and is 13.5 inches in overall length. Moscow Should Prepare For Probable US Nuclear Aggression: Reports Russian Military Journal, Destroying American Monster Abrams: Pro-Russian Group Release A How-To Video, Dr. Mary E. Walker: The First AND Only Female Medal Of Honor Recipient, Bakhmut on the Brink of Falling to Russian Troops, Decorated Navy SEAL Died in HALO Training Accident, Belarus Steps up Their Proxy War as They Befriend China, Taiwan-China SITREP: Day 2 of Chinese Incursion on Taiwanese Air Zone, A Trickle of Tanks: Europe is Slow to Deliver on Its Promise, A Look at the Unconventional Tactics Used by Western Militaries Throughout History, Adam Brown: A SEALs Life of Courage and Redemption, Complete List: Ticonderoga-class Missile Cruisers To Retire By 2027, Nuclear Close Calls That Nearly Caused World War III, Russian Sausage Millionaire and Putin Critic Falls to His Death in India, Deadly Russian Rifle Brigade Wiped Out During War in Ukraine, Your Subscription Supports our Veteran Staff. During the closing stages of the war, the M1903A1/Unertl was replaced by the semi-automatic Garand M1C sniper rifle, which was soon followed by the M1D. Yeah it was, it was missing the an action screw and one that held on the trigger guard. Nevertheless, Winchester Model 70s teamed with the Unertl scopes were superb sniping arms, certainly better than anything else in the militarys inventory at the time. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II joined the Corps in 1959 at age 17. Carlos Norman Hathcock II (20 May 1942 - 23 February 1999) was a United States Marine Corps sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. 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. Eventually, there were likely thousands of model 70s in military service, with the exact number unknown. "WINCHESTER/-TRADE MARK-" is roll stamped on the left side of the receiver rail. Although the model 70 was never officially approved for combat service during WWII, a number of Model 70s made their way into combat with USMC snipers. The ranging peice was plastic and many distort over the years. Hathcock was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic action. This is yet another example of the truism that a great civilian firearm does not always equate to a great military rifle. I have a 53 heavy barreled action that needs the same treatment. The most notable person to use the Model 70 was legendary sniper Carlos Hathcock in Vietnam, his rifle was chambered in .30-06 Sprinfield and his rifle is on display at the Quantico, Virginia Marine Corps Sniper Museum. Stretching it past 500 and reaching out to 1000, put all of us in a humbling state of mind. The precision and reliability of the model 70's controlled-round-feed action meant a cartridge could be slowly and quietly chambered with a single hand - something which was more difficult with a push-feed action. Very nice rifle. It was supplied with a Redfield 3x9 mounted with Redfield base/rings. That is the pic. After ensuring his escape route was in place, he took his shot. At the direction of Van Orden, USMC armorers began modifying some of thesporter weight rifles, fitting them with heavy Douglas target barrels and Unertl 8X scopes. An unknown number of additional Model 70s were eventually purchased for military use - both standard rifles and the marksman style target rifles. Carlos Hathcock died on February 23, 1999, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, from complications resulting from multiple sclerosis. [22] As the general exited his encampment, Hathcock fired a single shot that struck the general in the chest, killing him. During trips to Mississippi, he started developing an interest in hunting and long-range shooting. Hathcock eventually picked up the hobby of shark fishing, which helped him to overcome his depression. Born in 1942, Hathcock enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on May 20, 1959the very day he turned 17. Lots of posts I haven't come back to as of late. These later rifles only added to the popularity of the model 70 among US snipers. I was out yesterday trying to test a few loads at 400 yards but the wind quickly picked up to about 30 gusting 40mph and it was quickly becoming a waste of powder. He did however adapt according to the conditions and once even used the M2 Browning machine gun! These two historic Winchester Model 70 rifles bearing serial numbers "1" and "2" are now being offered for sale by Sportsman's Legacy. All Rights Reserved. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II joined the Corps in 1959 at age 17. Hathcock made a number of kills with this weapon in excess of 1,000 yards, including his record for the longest confirmed kill at 2,500 yards (since surpassed). [32], Hathcock provided sniper instruction to police departments and select military units, such as SEAL Team Six. It was in this way the Winchester model 70 found its way into unauthorized sniper duty during the WWII, primarily in the Pacific Theater. The USMC was still using the Model 70s as both target rifle for international match competition and pseudo-sniper rifle work . Thus, the Model 70 remained in the militarys inventory, albeit as a match rifle, until the escalation of the war in Vietnam, which resulted in a renewed emphasis on accurate sniper rifles. In 1967, Hathcock set the record for the longest sniper kill. I think the GSgt used the 10x but the 20x looks just like it. "[35], Hathcock's son, Carlos Hathcock III, later enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps;[36] he retired from the Marine Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant after following in his father's footsteps as a shooter and became a member of the Board of Governors of the Marine Corps Distinguished Shooters Association.[37]. STOCK: Walnut FINISH: Blued barrel and action, oil-finished stock LENGTH OF PULL: 13.8 in. The rifle was already being used by Marines snipers in Vietnam. His parents separated so he grew up with his grandmother in Geyer Springs, Pulaski County. The rifles inherent accuracy was ideally suited as a sniping rifle. ][21][22] He was not informed of the details of the mission until he accepted it. Carlos held the record for the longest kill for 35 years. He hunted at that early age with a .22-caliber J. C. Higgins single-shot rifle. The Winchester Model 70 represented perhaps the epitome of the bolt-action sporting rifle. The stock were fitted with 1 1/2-inch sling swivels. S. Jay Ratliff While the causes and conduct of that war remain a subject of great debate, an interesting aspect of the conflict is the use of the Winchester Model 70 as a precision rifle by the US forces, especially by the US Marine Corps snipers. The Korean War was the last conflict in which the World War II-vintage bolt-action M1903A1/Unertl sniper rifle was employed. 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. Hathcock generally used a Winchester Model 70, chambered in .30-06 and with a standard 8-power Unertl scope. Throughout its life, the Model 70 has been offered in . The rifles were a special order spec sent from Winchester to Evaluators Limited of Triangle, VA, where they were fully accurized to meet Van Orden's detailed sniper specification. Can't recall if they were 264 or 7mm Rem mag offhand. This success led to the adoption of the .50 BMG cartridge as a viable sniper round. For this operation, Carlos selected a .30-06 Winchester Model 70 mounting a Lyman 8X telescope that McAbee had fine-tuned. 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. Only thing I would add is I forgo the 6X as I dont think its precise. The Model 70. With complete disregard for his own safety and while suffering excruciating pain from his burns, he bravely ran back through the flames and exploding ammunition to ensure that no Marines had been left behind in the burning vehicle. These Marines were aware of the impact Hathcock's death would have and took it upon themselves to make themselves targets in order to confuse the counter-snipers. This effort was ultimately unsuccessful from a military procurement standpoint, but cemented the Model 70's place in USMC sniper history. Hathcock's career as a sniper has been used as a basis for a variety of fictional snipers, from the "shooting through the scope incident" to the number of kills he made. Some of the stocks were fiberglass bedded. It was the Marines who pressed the Winchester Model 70 into service as a sniper rifle in Vietnam. Their official role was for use in marksmanship training, but that's not where they would all end up. After World War II, George Van Orden, who had authored the Marine Corps Equipment Board report in 1941 recommending adoption of the Model 70 as a sniper rifle, started a firearms business named Evaluators, Ltd. Van Orden (who had subsequently been promoted to colonel and, later, brigadier general), eventually concentrated on marketing the Van Orden Sniper, which was a Winchester Model 70 customized to the specifications of his customers.Van Orden was successful in selling the arms to many clients, including the U.S. Coast Guard, which purchased 10 of the rifles in June 1954. This rifle is illustrated and described on pages 66 and 67 of "The One Round War" by Peter Senich. These relatively few Model 70 rifles soon became favored for their lighter weight, refined handling, and superior accuracy compared to the Springfield rifle. In November 1965, USMC Gy/Sgt. Bolt Action Sniper Rifle with Unertl Telescopic Sight Manufacturer: Winchester Model: 70 Type: Rifle Gauge: 30-06 Barrel: 24 inch round Finish: blue Grip: Stock: walnut checkered Item Views: 13427 During this depression, his wife Jo nearly left him but decided to stay. Carlos Hathcock was born on May 20, 1942, in North Little Rock, Arkansas. [22] Hathcock said he was almost stepped on as he lay camouflaged with grass and vegetation in a meadow shortly after sunset. The machine work, barrel channel and bedding were completed in our shop. This recommendation made its way up the chain of command. The rifle is pillar bedded and barrel free-floated in its original stock. A few Model 70 sniper rifles saw service in Korea, particularly during the Chosin Reservoir campaign-under difficult winter conditions that rendered other rifles -like the M-1A carbine -ineffective or inoperable. Gunny Hathcock's venerable Winchester could certainly tell a tale or two. These are some beautiful projects. The WWII U.S.M.C. Scope not included. If I don't get those bastards, then they're gonna kill a lot of these kids dressed up like Marines. 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. NRA Secretary Edward J. Carlos Hathcock accepting the Wimbledon Cup after winning the NRA National Matches. "[40] The Marine Corps League (MCL) sponsors an annual program with 12 award categories, which includes the Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II Award presented "to an enlisted Marine who has made an outstanding contribution to the improvement of marksmanship training. He used an M2 .50 Cal Browning machine gun mounted with a telescopic sight at a range of 2,500yd (2,286m), killing a Vietcong guerrilla. The Army's most accomplished Vietnam War sniper, Sgt. Being medically discharged, he received 100 percent disability pay. They were running about $800 for a nice one with rings a few years ago. But on several occasions, he turned to the M2 .50-caliber machine gun for longer . Pre-'64 Winchester Model 70 Specs MANUFACTURER: Winchester Repeating Arms TYPE: Bolt-action repeater CALIBER: .270 Winchester MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 5 rounds BARREL: 24 in. OVERALL LENGTH: 44.8 in. [47] Hathcock carried a Colt M1911A1 pistol as a sidearm.[17]. [45] On March 9, 2007, the rifle and pistol complex at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar was officially renamed the Carlos Hathcock Range Complex.[46]. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. Calvin Lloyd, wrote a 72-page report titled Equipment for the American Sniper, which discussed the various types of rifles and telescopic sights available at the time. 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. The M72 173 grain .30-06 was something that I could familiarize myself with as it is fairly similar to the M118LR. The Complete History of Winchester Repeating Arms. My Navy Long Range Rifle (that I used at the Interservice Championship Long Range Match to win the 720 pictured above) started life as a Model 721 .300 H&H. It was built up by Crane in .300 Win Mag. Thats perfect! 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. But I guess I was wrong. Hathcock pulled seven Marines from the flame-engulfed vehicle, suffering severe burns (some third-degree) to his face, arms, and legs, before someone pulled him away and placed him in water because he was unaware of how badly he had been burnt. In 1936, Winchester introduced the Model 70 bolt-action rifle to the American market. SIGHTS: Folding rear, bead front Wiley Clapp in 1965. [31] He would have received only 50 percent of his final pay grade had he retired after 20 years. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the U.S. Marine Corps. April 30 marks the 41st anniversary of the fall of Saigon (since renamed Ho Chi Minh City) and the end of American military involvement in that country. Hathcock put a round in her with his bolt-action Winchester Model 70 30.06 (7.62mm) rifle and she collapsed on the ground. Estimated Price: $ 15,000 - $ 25,000 Price Realized: Details Outstanding, Rare and Well Documented Winchester Model 70 U.S.M.C. As I remember from reading Henderson's book many moons ago, GySgt Hathcock deployed to VietNam in the '66-69 time frame. Carlos N. Hathcock II, who won the Wimbledon. 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 barrel is a "sendero" profile made by Bartlein and installed by Moon. Head to the range this week with American Rifleman staff as they discuss a trim little repeater from Savage Arms that comes chambered for the .22 WMR cartridge. 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. From an early age, he was fond of firearms. It is an odd scope by todays standards. . By the end of his first deployment Hathcock's life was worth $30,000 to the North Vietnamese . It has been determined that the increased accuracy of the Model 70 Winchester is insufficient to justify its introduction into an already overburdened supply system., Although adoption of the Model 70 as a sniping arm by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army remained elusive, the rifle did enjoy some measure of quasi-military popularity throughout the mid- to late-1950s. 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. This rifle came to us as a standard sporter rifle, with a Douglas barrel blank. The rifle had a likeness of Hathcock's signature and his "white feather logo" marked on the receiver. He managed to achieve an astounding kill record of 93 - including an impressive shot through an enemy sniper's scope, but it was with the M2 that he was able to take out a Vietcong soldier pushing a bicycle loaded with ammunition at . He grew up in Wynne, Arkansas, living with his grandmother for the first 12 years of his life after his parents separated. The group started running towards Hathcock and Land. You are using an out of date browser. Probably overthinking this but I like to use the "stops" at each end of the power range in this application. that had been originally purchased [as] across-the course bolt guns for the National Matches. The scope adjusts with turrets integral to the rear scope mount, and the tube of the scope floats inside adjustment pins. As long as you understood the effects wind had on the projectile and understood the ballistic drop, you could do fine. Excellent. If I was you, I might look up this guy on ebay and write him and see if he has anymore of these barrels. Before 1.02, the M70 Tundra was named the Winchester Model 70. The stock is in very fine condition. 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 barrel, receiver, bolt handle, cocking piece trigger guard, and buttplate have the Winchester charcoal blue finish. Thanks! . The rifle chosen was the Winchester Model 70. 30-06 caliber rifle equipped with an 8-power Unertl scope, was the deadliest sniper in Marine Corps history, but that title belongs to Mawhinney. The Model 70 was originally manufactured by the . Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives. But it's a total rebuild. His previous skill as a marksman had won him a variety of matches and trophies at places like Camp Perry in Ohio. Previously sold. He fell into a state of depression when he was forced out of the Marines because he felt as if the service had kicked him out. AFAIK, Crane only made two of these on the 721 action. The M-25 White Feather is a tribute to Carlos Hathcock who accounted for 93 confirmed enemy kills in Vietnam. The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action sporting rifle.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". sniper kill. Carlos Hathcock (D. Kevin Elliott) The sun lay low in the Vietnamese sky. 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. The most well known Marine sniper of the Vietnam war has become a modern legend. 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. Are you at 6 or are you at 5.75 or 6.25? FOLLO .more .more 2.6K Dislike Share Indian Gunner 26.3K subscribers. Includes 10 round box magazine standard plus extra 5 round magazine, and hard case. Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. The serial number of this rifle, "48213" falls within the serial number range of Marine WWII Model 70 rifles listed on pages 49-50 of Death from Afar Volume 1" by Chandler & Chandler but is not included on the list. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. With robust designs and vintage classic style, discover the heritage of military timepieces today! Editors note: Carlos Hathcock Born this day, May 20, 1942. . Carlos Hathcock's sniper rifle! 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. [30] Hathcock and the seven marines he pulled from the vehicle were evacuated by helicopter to hospital ship USSRepose, then to a naval hospital in Tokyo, and ultimately to the burn center at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
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