September 9, 10, & 11, 2025 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/9/2025
After World War II, the US was experimenting with the concept of high velocity ammunition and a light rifle to replace the M1 Garand. As part of Project Salvo, the Winchester Research Center circa 1953-54 developed the homologous series of .18 Special (.18), .22 Special (.244), .25 Special (.256), and .27 Special (.277) cartridges based on the T-65 NATO Case, the precursor to 7.62 NATO. For testing Winchester chambered several Featherweight Model 70 rifles in the new cartridges. This example was built on a matte finished 1954 receiver. The blued Featherweight barrel has the standard factory roll marked with "-27 CAL SPECIAL" designation. The underside of the barrel is unmarked. Solid knob bolt marked on the underside of the body with the full matching serial number. Rifle sports a hooded, ramped front sight, folding rear, and an additional Lyman receiver sight. Classic checkered walnut stock with Monte Carlo comb, anodized floor plate, and alloy checkered butt plate. This rifle is pictured and noted by serial number on page 299 of "The Rifleman's Rifle" by Roger Rule. CONDITION: Excellent. Barrel retains nearly all of its factory blue with some light freckles. Receiver shows faint high edge silvering. Bottom metal likewise only shows faint high edge silvering. Stock is very good with some scattered impressions. Very fine bright and shiny bore. Fine mechanics.