Winchester Model 54 .30-06 Springfield 24″ Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1929 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1130
LSB#: 220331MD003
Make: Winchester
Model: 54
Serial Number: 22746A
Year of Manufacture: 1929
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield (.30 Gov’t ’06)
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Internal Box Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MODEL 54-“, “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“, “-NICKEL STEEL-” in front of the rear sight boss and “.30 GOV’T 06.” at the rear. The left of the barrel at the chamber is also marked with a “WP” in oval proof found again on the left of the receiver’s chamber ring. The left of the receiver is marked “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“. The right of the chamber ring is marked with the serial number. The right side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN. PATENTS APPLIED FOR”. The bottom of the bolt has inspection marks and is hand inscribed “22746”.
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a beaded brass blade pinned in a slotted ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. There is a boss at the rear of the barrel with a dovetailed “U” notch two-position flip-up sight. The chamber ring and the left-rear of the receiver both have a pair of drilled, tapped, and filled holes.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is a one-piece checkered walnut with a pistol grip, fluted straight comb, serrated steel shotgun-style buttplate, and sling swivel studs front and rear. There are some scattered scuffs, compressions, draglines, and areas of finish wear. There are some scattered scratches that have darkened with age. There are some dings and minor scrapes which have darkened with age. The LOP measures 14” from the front of the trigger to the back of the plate. The plate has scabbing, finish loss, erosion, and little scratches. Overall, the stock is in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 88% of its metal finish. There are some scattered little nicks, scratches, and scuffs that have thinned the finish on the barrel, the most noticeable nicks are on the top of the barrel at the forend and at the rear sight. There are some spots of oxidation on the barrel. There are some light handling marks on the receiver and finish wear on its edges. There are some scuffs and areas of thinning on the bolt handle. There are nicks, scuffs, scratches, and spots of light oxidation on the bottom metal assembly in addition to finish loss on the edges. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The rifle has a three-position safety similar to the M1903: all the way to the left locks the bolt and disables the trigger; straight up disables the trigger but the bolt is free to move; to the right enables the rifle to be fired. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Winchester’s Model 54 rifle was made from 1925-1936, with a carbine offered in 1927 and an improved version offered in 1930 which had a chrome-moly barrel instead of the earlier nickel-steel. The rifle was Winchester’s only bolt action centerfire rifle at the time, and ceased production when the legendary Model 70 became available in 1937. This example was made in 1929, with a 24” barrel chambered in the classic .30-06 cartridge. This is one of, if not the most popular deer hunting cartridges in America, and is usually readily available in a variety of loads. This rifle shows standard wear considering its age and likely use in the field but has a minty bore ready to do work for years to come. Please see our photos and good luck!