5 Reasons Why Pre-64 Winchesters Still Hold Their Magic

Above, my three pre-1964 Winchesters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Prior to 2019, the only Winchester I owned was a Model 62A .22 cal. pump rifle. I inherited it from my maternal grandfather. It was made in 1947. 

Since then, I have bought two more pre-1964 Winchesters. The first was a 1962 Winchester 94 .30-30 rifle. The second was a Winchester Model 12 shot gun in 12 gauge made in 1919. 

Collectors of vintage Winchesters seek them out as they were manufactured better (in their view). 

MSN posted a slideshow article with 5 reasons why pre-1964 Winchesters still hold their magic. 

They begin it with:

Firearm enthusiasts often speak about the legendary status of older rifles with a sense of reverence and nostalgia. The term pre-64 Winchesters specifically refers to model 70 rifles manufactured before the company changed its production methods in 1964. These vintage pieces represent a high point in American gun making that many believe has never been equaled since that time. Collectors and hunters alike pursue these firearms because they embody a level of industrial art that modern mass production rarely achieves today. Understanding why these specific rifles command such high prices reveals much about the history of manufacturing.

To read more, go here.