Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Savage 1920 Peep Sights

Most modifications effect a guns value (it goes down not up). Of course the Lyman 54 was, for the most part standard, on the later 20/26 version. On the earlier 1920, both the Lyman 54 and Marbles S20 still seem to be highly sought after. When I went looking for a model 1920 I wanted the 54 on it regardless of being original or not. I even think the Marbles S20 would not detract from a rifle if the overall condition of the rifle is excellent along with the sight.

I've always assumed that the S20 and 54 were added by owners/gun smiths (on the earlier model 1920's, not talking about the improved 20/26), did savage ever add these at the factory?

Later pre-26 guns were drilled & tapped for the #54 and could be ordered with them, I do not think any were ever offered with the Marble's, not a very desirable sight for these IMO.

Ya same here, I know Marbles made them for the model 20 but you hardly ever see one wearing one or even one that was tapped for one. I keep an S20 on the shelf just in case I ever stumble onto one that was drilled for it but I think if I ever buy another 1920 without a 54 I wouldn't have my smith D&T it for the sight I have here.

I guess that's really the problem with the S20, where it is drilled on the main frame. The bolt sleeve can at least in theory be replaced. I say that because I've tried interchanging bolt sleeves and the ones I have are off just enough that they don't fit each other.

I got one of those early model 20's in 300 savage with the Marbles sight on it, just had to have the sight !

Anybody know exactly when those sights were introduced? That would determine how early a 1920 would be "legit" with one installed.

Personally I feel any 1920's value is enhanced with one, whether it was d/t'ed at the factory or not. They actually make those guns usable.

Gary are you asking about the S20 or the Lyman 54?

The S20 was never a factory option that I know of.

I've got one with an S20 and two with 54's. Definitely prefer the 1920's with peeps.

As cataloged, the Lyman #54 was the only rear sight offered on the Model 20, they were never cataloged with an open rear sight in the style cataloged on the earlier 1920 style rifle. Therefore, your comment that "the Lyman 54 was, for the most part standard, on the later 20/26 version" is incorrect.

The bolt shroud, what Savage called the tail-block, on most of the earlier 1920 style rifles were factory d&t for the Lyman #54 peep sight, but it is unclear when, either by date or serial number, Savage started doing this.

The Marble's S-20 doesn't appear in any Savage catalog, so it is unlikely that it was ever offered as a factory installed option.

No, I'm wondering when Lyman introduced the 54- when it appeared in their catalog. Ditto the Marble's. Immediately in 1920? 1921? 1922?

It's listed as being available with it in the page from the Jobber's catalog I posted above - it was on close out guns, but they still were the early version of the 1920.

I don't consider jobber's specials to be a "cataloged" configuration. They are, IMO, analogous to the non-cataloged configurations of Remingtons sold by Grice and of Rugers sold by Lipsey's.

The catalog was put out by Savage and from what I see I have no reason to think the guns were not ordered, made and shipped directly from Savage in the configurations listed without any outside work, if there were work done by an outside firm I would agree with you, but I don's see that here, this is the catalog that page came from -

The non-cataloged configuration firearms sold by Grice and Lipsey's are factory built by Remington and Ruger, just like those in your Jobbers price list. They are all factory built, they all exist, but they are also all non-cataloged configurations.

What is the form number on your catalog?

The first 1920 I bought had a sidemounted scope on it, and a bent bolt. I didn't particularly like that, but won't fault some guy decades ago, who wanted to use a scope. It shoots well, and I wagered it killed a pile of deer in its time.

Later I found one that had been strangely rebarreled, but had a 54 on the bolt. I bought it at a fair price from the young enlisted soldier who owned it. I found the difference in headspace between the bolts was only .002", so they interchange with no problems. Member Kaywoodie made me a taller front sight blade, so now I have one that can use the peep, or a scope

No form number, that Jobber's price list and several wholesale & retail price lists from the same time period do not have a form number on them any where I see. I posted the page from the Jobber's 'price list' in response the the original question if these ever could have came from the factory with the No 54 sight attached, which it seems they were and you seem to be in agreement on that. I agree with you that the 1920 with a Lyman 54 was not in any general products catalogs, it also is not in any of the wholesale & retail price lists I have from near that time period but I do not have any from 1925-1926 at the end of the 1920 and the introduction of the 1926 version.

I agree with Jeff. The roll engraved 99's are factory but were not cataloged.

The jobbers price sheet offers the 1920 with and without the Lyman 54. I wonder if these were rifles on the shelf ready to ship or does it just indicate that Savage would add the sight for a price? I didn't see the sight option in the quick catalog check that I made. If anyone finds a statement of the M54 option please advise.

Early M54's had the kob on the right while the later M54 had the knob on the left and appears to have started about the time the the 20/26 receiver marking was changed to SAVAGE 20 MODEL.

Remember that there are transition rifles built as Model 20's but with the older SAVAGE 1920 MODEL markings and appear to have the right knobbed M54.