Locally there is a Winchester model 54 30-06 serial number 2xx for sale for $500.

I have always been a pre 64 model 70 fan, but know nothing of the model 54.

It appears in good condition but I would consider it a hunter grade rifle as opposed to a collector. What do y'all think of the price?

Is a model 54 a good rifle to use for the old school factor?

Manufactured first year of production (1925).

I would buy it, from your description.

donsm70

What's been done to it? I think a model 54 with a serial that low would be pretty neat to have and hunt with.

Photos man photos! I bought my civilian 52C HB Target from the fellow that bought it new in 56', he needed money to buy an early 30's minty 54 in 220 SWIFT,his eyes were going and all he shot with the 52 was irons.The 54 was so nice it may have been restored but I have no problem with a pro job , you know when they look BETTER than factory then a pro has been working his magic. very best on a milky tit gun, I have a rule to stick with the mod 70's just because!!!! An old timer told me years ago to get me a nice 54 in 30-06 and have fun... very best WinPoor

Unless the M54 is completely hacked up I wold drop $500 in an instant for one. There were not many M54's built so just finding one is not all that easy. Finding one that hasn't been D&T'd or seriously hacked in some other way is extremely hard.

I'm still working on one in 30WCF that's probably in 70% condition but it's all original.

Winchester's first successful bolt action, centerfire rifle....somewhere in the neighborhood of 50,000 made. Not designed for scope use as they have a high bolt lift and rear bridge was not d&t for scope mounts. As reelman stated, finding one in original condition is not an easy task. Lucked upon a 90%, all original '06 in the rack at a local shop about 5 or 6 years ago and haven't seen another that hasn't been messed with since.

Poconojack: I had to look this one up - there were 52,029 Model 54 Winchesters made!
As much as I love to collect/trade the pre-64 Model 70's I was never much motivated by its predecessor, the Model 54.
I have only owned a couple of them over the decades and own NONE now.
ONE... I wish I had bought was a N.I.B. 100% mint Model 54 Carbine in 30-30 W.C.F.!
It was priced at $300.00 at the time (and that tells you how long ago that was - 1968ish) and I kick myself EVERY time I think of that "over-sight".
Good luck to the O.P. if he decides to jump on this Rifle.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I have owned three or four of those beauties. The ones I find are usually in the condition you are talking about, and i wouldn't hesitate to drop that kind of money on one of those guns. My current model 54 is a 30-06 with all original metal work and has not been D&T. The major strike against it is that some one put it in an original carbine stock and it is not a carbine. Other then that it is good. Came with a peep sight, but it's s not the original Lyman 48 that should have come with it. Still shoots good with a peep. If you buy it please post some pics. I'd love to see it.

They say their are less than 15,000 still in original configuration. I have a 3 digit one as well in a 270 w.c.f neat ol gun I need to go shoot it

Went back and the price had been changed to $900. No thanks