Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors model 54 info

this I know is molested but it was 150 bucks.
what I want to know is I think the bolt handel has been changed
stock? is it original, it looks diferent than some I have seen.
was there a featherweight model.?
it doesn't have original barrel its a model 70 barrel.
front of receiver has been drilled with filler screws. rear was not drilled. there is a you tube video of one the same production year(29) has the same holes in the receiver.??

I'll take it!!

sorry dude but I think ill keep it this may get a new stock and barrel maybe 7x57. besides you havnt got your 257 done yet

Yeah, nice rifle, I like it. All 54's have the 2 drilled and tapped holes on the front bridge, but the rear bridge should not be drilled and tapped, only on the side where the peep sight goes. Yes your stock is original too, there is a carbine model that has a different stock it has finger grooves on the forearm. Your bolt handle looks to good to be modified. But the style of the bolt handle is not what I'm used to looking at on a model 54. Maybe it's a model 70 bolt?

The stock on your M/54 is an early model, there were never featherweight models per se, later model stocks did away with the schnabel and the butt was fuller and did not have as much drop. M/70 bolts were indeed used to gain scope clearance, your rifle may have had a scope mounted in a Stith mount at some time. Too bad about the wood missing behind the bolt handle, probably from lack of relief in that area when the bolt was changed. Neat rifle none the less especially for what you paid for it.

yes the receiver is only drilled in front and not in the rear.. so why did they do that?
sre # on the bolt matches the receiver
after looking closer it has been changed and has a dif bend that doesn't match original wood notch. I don't think they had a scope ever mounted as it had a peep on it when I got it.
by the way this thing feels and balances way better than my mod 70s.

I have seen M54s with M70 barrels and bolts. At one time Winchester would replace the bolts for customers with M70 bolts when they were returned for repair.

if it was a mod 70 bolt wouldn't they have updated the safety?
I guess not really this never had a scope and the 54 safety works great.