Winchester Model 54 Pre-70 .30-30 WCF 24″ Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1929 C&R
Sold For: $1,425.00
LSB#: 220623DV011
Make: Winchester
Model: 54
Serial Number: 21766A
Year of Manufacture: 1929
Caliber: .30-30 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)
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 W.C.F.” 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 there was a scribed serial marking, but it is too worn to be legible.
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is an under-cut blade pinned in a slotted base fixed to the front of the barrel. There is a boss at the rear of the barrel with a dovetail, but no rear sight is present. The chamber ring has a pair of drilled, tapped, and filled holes, the bridge has a pair of drilled and tapped holes for mounting an optic (none present). The left-rear of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Redfield receiver sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is a one-piece checkered walnut with a schnabel forend tip, pistol grip, fluted straight comb, and serrated steel shotgun-style buttplate. There are holes for sling studs front and rear, but no studs are present. The stock has scattered nicks, dings, scuffs, scratches and patches of thinning finish. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the plate. The plate is mostly worn to white with scattered spots of oxidation and minor erosion and well defined serrations. Overall, the stock is in about 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. Our gauge shows an ME of about 1.0.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some erosion at the muzzle, outside the crown. The barrel has scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The most notable finish loss is on the magazine floorplate. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good 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 .30-30 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!
