Does the "Westerner" variant of the M-70 built in '82 have any collector value? This is the one with no floor plate and just a plain walnut stock with standard checkering, no nose cap or anything, just a solid rubber buttpad chambered in .30-'06. She's a good shooter and figured I'd ask before transforming her into a fancy sporter.

Thanks,
Mark

Prices on all the Winnies went up when they shut down operations building the model 70's and 94's for a while, but not a lot on the post 64 guns. If you want to do a build on that 82 I would without worry your destroying a collector item. If there's any collector value in the post 64's it's with the top grade guns.

I agree with faucetb, since it isn't a super delux, go for it. But hey, better to ask before and learn than after and regret.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts guys. Transformation work will begin shortly.

I would save all the parts so it could be 'put back' if ever warranted but I agree the lower priced m70s will not appreciate as much as we would like. However, a few of the lower priced guns were not made in high quantity and those may appreciate in value enough to leave them alone. '06 is the most common caliber.

There's no way to retain the T-guard & magazine assembly in OEM condition when adding the floorplate unless I make all new hardware. I know the "Westerner" is a low production gun but considering it's nothing but a pure utility design, I doubt that it will appreciate in value as a collector piece as much as it will being a good looking hunter.