In 1967 Gunny Carlos Hathcock set the record for the longest. It was missing a bolt part and the National Guard had designated it for "decommissioning" (a.k.a destruction). This rifle is the same as the Model 70 sniper rifle used by famed Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock near Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, in 1966. Weaponry. His parents separated so he grew up with his grandmother in Geyer Springs, Pulaski County. Hathcock eventually picked up the hobby of shark fishing, which helped him to overcome his depression. [22] Hathcock said he was almost stepped on as he lay camouflaged with grass and vegetation in a meadow shortly after sunset. These are some beautiful projects. Some of the snipers now in Vietnam were not yet born when the telescopic sights they use were employed in a different war. The optics are clear. Hathcock used the M40 during the Vietnam War and is credited with numerous kills, including a record-setting 2,500-meter shot. Learn more about Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II and the Winchester Model 70s service in Vietnam in these two American Rifleman articles:The Military Model 70. 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. By the end of his first deployment Hathcock's life was worth $30,000 to the North Vietnamese . The Model 70 Standard Rifles were fitted with Winchester medium-heavy target barrels in modified stocks and the Unertl telescopic sights. 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. Here are the features to watch out for. I did all the other work. [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]. Lots of posts I haven't come back to as of late. The Model 70's 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. All it would take is an '06 reamer if one was inclined. [17] However, scholars such as Jerry Lembcke have cast doubt on Hathcock's account and questioned the existence of "Apache". The scope tube retains 95% plus of the original blue finish with sharp markings. Hathcock generally used the standard sniper rifle: the Winchester Model 70 .30-06 caliber rifle with the standard 8-power Unertl scope. Very nice rifle. 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. "[41][42] A sniper range named for Hathcock is at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Gunnery Sgt. Estimated Price: $ 15,000 - $ 25,000 Price Realized: Details Outstanding, Rare and Well Documented Winchester Model 70 U.S.M.C. Without them, it can be extremely tough to hold for the effects. Hathcock passed away in 1999 at the age of 57. Hathcock held the record for the highest bounty and killed every known Vietnamese marksman who sought him to try to collect it. The stock is nicely figured American walnut with checkered forearm and pistol grip and has the Winchester semi-gloss varnish finish. You sir have your shit together. His parents separated so he grew up with his grandmother in Geyer Springs, Pulaski County. Carlos Hathcock accepting the Wimbledon Cup after winning the NRA National Matches. 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. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. 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On some occasions, however, he used a different weapon: . Gunnery Sgt. The Model 70 was largely based on the Model 54, and is today still highly regarded by shooters and is often called "The. Built with glass-bedded actions and heavy barrels, and used for long-range target competition, the M70s were capable of great accuracy with the Unertl scopes. In the background is radio operator Jerry Dunomes. Answer (1 of 3): If my reading comprehension is still intact; going by memory I seem to recall reading that Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock ( I.E. This rifle has all of the characteristics of the Marine Model 70 sniper rifles issued in Vietnam c. 1966. 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. The author says Carlos used a Model 70 Winchester with a long tube Unertl scope. Thanks! Customer experience was, and still is, the primary focus, a key to the firms longevity and success. Carlos Norman Hathcock II (20 May 1942 - 23 February 23 1999) was a United States Marine Corps sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. This one is mine. As noted BuffaloWinter's rifle is mostly what Gunny Hathcock wanted in a rifle. First rate article outlining the service of the Model 70. It is undesirable to inject another rifle into the supply system, and if another rifle is injected into the supply system, it is necessary to inject non-standard ammunition for this rifle into the supply system in order to exploit fully any gain in accuracy. [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. A limited number of 3X to 9X variable power Marine Scopes of Japanese manufacture saw early use, but target mount, 8X Unertl telescopes, unchanged basically from those first adopted in 1941, were fitted to the Model 70s as were many of the original World War II Unertl contract scopes, which had survived official obsolescence and the post-Korean War surplus sell-off. Pre-'64 Winchester Model 70 Specs MANUFACTURER: Winchester Repeating Arms TYPE: Bolt-action repeater CALIBER: .270 Winchester MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 5 rounds BARREL: 24 in. 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. You are using an out of date browser. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. [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. Carlos Hathcock passed away on 22 nd February 1999 in Virginia from the disease that had forced retirement . This shot covered a distance of 2500 yards. Price: $25,000.00. Would you like to visit Winchester International? The rifle chosen was the Winchester Model 70. Before any official action was taken, the Marine Corps ordered 373 Model 70s chambered in .30-06 Sprg. Their official role was for use in marksmanship training, but that's not where they would all end up. Hathcock himself estimated that he had killed between 300 and 400 enemy personnel during the Vietnam War. What type of rifle did Carlos Hathcock use? 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. 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. Those rifles were in the Winchester Marksman stocks with their wide forends and deep grips. I've read that the only way to do it is to first plate the barrel with a metal that will accept bluing. 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. Carlos Hathcock . A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II joined the Corps in 1959 at age 17. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States. On May 29, 1942, eager to do their part in the war effort, Winchester shipped 373 model 70 standard .30-06 rifles to the US Marine Corps. A memo dated July 29, 1942, stated in part: Subject: Rifles, Winchester, Model 70, .30 Government 06. Considered a real one but again even a cheap ($450.00) modern scope I feel is better than an original 60's era scope. It's my job. Hathcock was soon a member of the USMC rifle team, and in 1965 he won the Wimbledon Cup, a 1000-yard individual match fired at the National Matches in Camp Perry, Ohio. . The Model 70, which was primarily based on the Model 54, is still regarded as one of the best cars ever made. Gunny Hathcock's venerable Winchester could certainly tell a tale or two. 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. 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. [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. After his service in Vietnam, Hathcock helped establish the USMCs Scout Sniper School at Quantico, Virginia, and he continued to pass along his hard-won knowledge to both military and law enforcement marksmen in the years that followed. In 1975, Hathcock's health began to deteriorate, and he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. All of the markings are crisp. 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. As with Kraig's rifle above, it would have been clip-slotted and while original Win70 Target rifles came with either a Std, heavy or bull barrel, one would assume the rifles sent overseas were former target rifles that had been reworked by the 'Team armorers with new barrels. Carlos Hathcock, in Vietnam (left) and receiving the Silver Star (right). who placed a bounty on him during the Vietnam War ) used primarily a Pre-64 Winchester M. I was quickly brought back to reality when shooting this system. He only used the .50 M2 on less than a dozen shots. There are currently no customer product questions on this lot. In 1936, Winchester introduced the Model 70 bolt-action rifle to the American market. 2023 Rock Island Auction Company. I had always thought that long tube scopes were originally used a long time ago and were more or less obsolete. These marines were unwilling to leave their preferred rifle at home and carry the approved, but less accurate Springfield M1903 into battle. Receiver is engraved with likeness of Carlos Hathcock's signature, along with the White Feather logo. Land later recruited Marines who had set their own records in sharpshooting; he quickly found Hathcock, who had won the Wimbledon Cup, the most prestigious prize for long-range shooting, at Camp Perry in 1965. He only used the .50 M2 on less than a dozen shots. The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt action sporting rifle. It is used by not only sportsmen, but military and police snipers as well. Are you at 6 or are you at 5.75 or 6.25? Again, I would presume the heavy profile (slightly bigger than a varmint profile) was used as a compromise between multiple-round accuracy in the heat and weight, as seen in these pictures. One of the distant places where Americas commitment would come to be tested was in South Vietnam. Wiley Clapp in 1965. The U.S. Army fielded some World War II-vintage M1903A4 bolt-actions but relied primarily on the semi-automatic M1C Garand. The action has some design similarities to Mauser designs and it is a development of the earlier Winchester Model 54, itself based on a Mauser 98-type action. [38] He is buried at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia. To avoid contributing to the prolific problem of counterfeit rare model 70s,we decline to build replica model 70s of any kind. The Model 70s also drew the attention of USMC snipers and their chief sponsor - Brigadier General George Van Orden. "He got that right," Hathcock said. In one of his more renowned stories, Carlos Hathcock killed an enemy sniper through the enemy's own rifle scope. As a sniper of a modern era, I am truly amazed at what the guys were able to do using what they had at the time. The serial number, "48213" is roll-stamped on the right side of the receiver below the rear sight base. [2] Jo gave birth to a son, whom they named Carlos Norman Hathcock III. We at Winchester Repeating Arms wish to take this opportunity to salute all those who have answered our nations call to serve. These later rifles were delivered to the US military already modified to be sniper rifles, including a heavy barrel and accurized stock. 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. 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Carlos Hathcock died on February 23, 1999, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, from complications resulting from multiple sclerosis. Hathcock generally used a Winchester Model 70, chambered in .30-06 and with a standard 8-power Unertl scope. It was the Marines who pressed the Winchester Model 70 into service as a sniper rifle in Vietnam. Interestingly, Hathcock won that prestigious trophy with a Winchester Model 70. Winchester Model 70 It was long thought that Hathcock, armed with his Winchester Model 70 . It was the performance of these Snipers in Vietnam that secured the sniper concept as a permanent fixture in the United States military. And it was as a sniper rifle the Model 70 ultimately earned its stripes. The sniper system shoots the M72 match ammunition loaded with 173-grain boat-tailed bullets (.30-06). He grew up in Wynne, Arkansas, living with his grandmother for the first 12 years of his life after his parents separated. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the U.S. Marine Corps. 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. Most of the Model 70 sniper rifles issued by the Marines to snipers in the early stage of the Vietnam War were pre-war or early WWII production Model 70 .30-06 Standard Rifles purchased during WWII. The left side of the barrel has the standard Winchester legend and trademark followed by: "MODEL 70-30-06 SPRG.-". These rifles are not considered suitable for use as sniper rifles. Springfield Armory designed a highly accurized version of their M1A Supermatch rifle with a McMillan Stock and match grade barrel and dubbed it the "M-25 White Feather". Eventually, there were likely thousands of model 70s in military service, with the exact number unknown. sniper kill. He sold quite a few, and claims they came from a USMC armorer. He lived in a rural area with his grandmother as his parents had separated. One of the perennially popular Winchester firearms of the 20th century is the Model 70 bolt-action rifle. 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. Who has the most kills in the Vietnam War? Agree sandwarrior there was a thread on old old hide many moons ago regarding this. They were mothballed after NRA changed match rules to limit service personnel to shooting service rifles. The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action sporting/hunting rifle. The success of the Model 70 on the rifle range attracted renewed interest from the U.S. Army as evidenced by a Feb. 2, 1955, memo from the Office of the Chief of Ordnance to the Chief of Army Field Forces, which stated: It is requested that this office be furnished [with] your comments and recommendations relative to procurement of cal. 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. 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. I told a gunny, 'Bring [him] back here.' It had a standard weight barrel as well as a clip guide milled into the receiver bridge so 5-round stripper clips could quickly and easily charge the magazine. The metal finishes were done by Ken Pederson ofPederson Arms in Arlington, WA. [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." Regarding, his tools of trade, Hathcock, normally operated with the Winchester Model 70, 30-06 Caliber rifle along with an 8 power scope. 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 Carlos Hathcock receiving the Silver Star for his actions in Vietnam. Legendary USMC sniper Carlos Hathcock learned how to shoot on a Stevens Model 15-A. A July 1967 American Rifleman article by Frank G. McGuire, SnipersSpecialists in Warfare, reported: The 8X telescopic sight was chosen in World War II when it was teamed with the 03 rifle. 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. Introduced in 1936 as an improvement on the Model 54, the Model 70 soon set the standard for commercial bolt-action rifles. The rifle would of course have to be chambered in the 458 x 1.5 Barnes cartridge. 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. The Riflemans Rifle, fitted with an 8X Unertl, was used by the military in long-range competition, then eventually by Marines in Vietnam. I think the GSgt used the 10x but the 20x looks just like it. 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.. 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. They were running about $800 for a nice one with rings a few years ago. Known as Van Orden rifles, these model 70 sniper rifles were at last procured under the watchful eye of Brigadier General George Van Orden. George H. Hurt of the 3rd Marine Divisions newly formed sniper school at Da Nang, Vietnam, checked the 8X Unertl scope mounted on a Winchester Model 70. [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. If you get a chance, test it out for yourself. Accurate in every detail, enjoyed reading this. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. The US government eventually purchased additional model 70s andofficially sanctioned them for combat duty. While recovering, Hathcock received the Purple Heart. Before 1.02, the M70 Tundra was named the Winchester Model 70. [44] Turner Saddlery similarly honored Hathcock by producing a line of leather rifle slings based on his design. That is the pic. . These later rifles only added to the popularity of the model 70 among US snipers. They are fragile and the external rings may or may not offer as fine adjustments for windage and elevation. Beautiful build. The M-25 White Feather is a tribute to Carlos Hathcock who accounted for 93 confirmed enemy kills in Vietnam. Being medically discharged, he received 100 percent disability pay. USMC Sniper Rifles: Hands On History. He copied Hemingway's words on a piece of paper. He used a M2 .50 Cal Browning machine gun mounting a telescopic sight at a range of 2,500 yd, taking down a single Vietcong guerrilla. 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. 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". The bolt body is polished bright and electro-penciled with the rifle serial number "48213". You can pick up a replica of the Unertl Scope online for an MSRP of around $550.00. Before deploying to South Vietnam, Hathcock had won shooting championships, including matches at Camp Perry and the Wimbledon Cup. 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 was the only child of Carlos and Agnes Hathcock. A list of modern browsers is below; simply click an icon to go to the browsers download page. From an early age, he was fond of firearms. Nearly 30 years later, he received a Silver Star for this action. Snipers often did not have a third party present, making confirmation difficult, especially if the target was behind enemy lines, as was usually the case. Van Orden would go on to author a report recommending adoption of the Model 70 for sniper use. Carlos Hathcock's sniper rifle! This rifle is illustrated and described on pages 66 and 67 of "The One Round War" by Peter Senich. In 1966, the Marines determined that the M1C and M1D Garand sniper rifles lacked the accuracy required for operations in Vietnam and modified the available Model 70 target rifles and standard rifles to sniper configuration by fitting them with the 8x Unertl "USMC-SNIPER" telescopic sights mounted on the Springfield M1903A1 sniper rifles during WWII and the Korean Conflict. Remarkably, a few remain in service to this day. Just under 1200 yards of room if I stretch it and hills in every direction for natures perfect back stop! Hathcock generally used the standard sniper rifle: the Winchester Model 70 chambered for .30-06 Springfield cartridges, with the standard 8-power Unertl scope. However, where the USMC procurement brass failed to see the merits of the Model 70, the Marine Corpsmarksmendid not. Its almost like comparing your 1980s television to todays HD plasma flat screen, or VHS to Blue-ray. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense.