Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Question about my Easter model 1920

The Bunny was good to me this year with a new 250-3000 but there is something amiss on the bolt. Everything seems good on this old gun except for what looks like an unblued flat, ground off part where the Lyman #57 would sit. This is the first time that I have had a 1920 in my hands, so I have nothing to compare it to. All the pictures I see have the Lyman sight on it. Anyone know why this would be done?
Bill


[img]http://i191.photobucket.com/al...20%20Bolt/IMG_1471_zps350ad769.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i191.photobucket.com/al...20%20Bolt/IMG_1470_zps5f3b6e72.jpg[/img] [img]http://i191.photobucket.com/al...20%20Bolt/IMG_1476_zps8f228a61.jpg[/img]

..it looks all wrong to me.. better ship it to me for...hmm.. $29.99

Congrats on finding this rifle.

The Top Notch fellas among this group will be along shortly to fill in the blanks.

thanks for sharing.
dave

Looks like a nice solid rifle. I'm sure it'll serve you well.

As to the flat on the bolt sleeve, I'm at a loss. I would state categorically it is not for mounting a Lyman 56. Even if the goal was to mount that sight lower than normal, that flat is in the wrong position. Possibly someone fitted a home made sight at one time?

Bill, I think you meant Lyman 54. I have not idea why the machining was done. Put a little cold blue on it and go shoot.

Yep, meant Lyman #54. I was hoping that it was modified to fit a #54. I wonder if you could tell by the pictures if one would still fit or has too much been taken off. I was planning on looking for a #54 to put on it. I still really like this little rifle and plan on using it with or without the peep. Thanks for the help guys I appreciate it.
Bill

If I'm not mistaken, yours like mine has the flat at the end of the bolt because it came with a sight on the barrel. The ones from the factory with the Lyman 54 installed did not have a rear sight. I'm getting ready to have the rear of my bolt drilled and tapped so I can add the Lyman 54 on it. If you do not have the 54, good luck on finding one. Scarce. I was lucky but someone here might have a extra.

Look at the pictures in this link, it will explain.
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...s/8330810/Lyman_54_sight_attached_to_a_S

Steve

Yeah, I meant 54 also. The 1920 tail blocks (bolt sleeves) need not be modified in any way to take a Lyman 54, except a threaded hole on each side for the mounting screws. Lotsa luck finding one. Given the low number of 1920s built 90 years ago it's a wonder any of those sights turn up at all. I searched for years for one and finally gave up and machined one myself.

I always thought that the old Lyman cocking knob sights for Springfield/Krag/Mannlicher-Schoenauer would be a neat application on a 1920. Anyone ever see one done like that?

It looks to me that a 54 should fit on it. I have a 1920 with the 54 & the part of the bolt where it mounts is a little bit (maybe 1/4 ") longer then your's but it looks like it will fit. Before you do anything with it wait until you find a 54. The only hang up I see is that the drilled holes you will need in the bolt may be a little to close to the where the bolt was machined.

I will be looking for a #54 but in the meantime I used the open sights today and am shooting six inches high at 50 yards. The rear sight is as low as it will go so now I guess I have to lower the front sight. It looks like the original Lyman#26 with a small ivory bead. It is really tall so I think a shorter insert will work. Does all that sound right? I've been shooting with a scope for so long I've about forgotten open sights. Thanks for all the advice.

Bill

You have to raise the front sight to lower your shot.

Mike

Thanks Mike
I had that backwards. It's front opposite and rear the same. The front sight is really high already. I'll figure something out.
Bill

The gun is almost 100 years old.

Why do you feel the need to drill holes in it?

Won't it shoot straight with the sights that are on it?

The rest of the gun looks in great shape. Last year on gunbroker someone parted out a model 1920. I got some trigger parts just to have them. I would keep my eyes out, you might be able to find another bolt. Seen a few Lyman 54's listed as well, although it will cost you.

You do know to mount a #54 you will have to drill the rear end of the bolt.

The bolt sleeve is already altered. What'll it hurt to drill a couple holes?

??? No drilling of the bolt is necessary. One drills and taps two small holes in the sides of the tail block (bolt sleeve).

It was a period add-on that enhances the "shootability" of the rifle, and in fact was a factory addition on later M1920's. As such, I don't see nary a problem with someone wanting to install one on a rifle. If said rifle were an early numbered unfired museum piece with hanging tags and factory grease still in it, then maybe no Lyman 54 installation. Otherwise, the biggest problem is in finding one.

Might as well put a nice recoil pad on it and saw 4 inches off the barrel while ur at it...

What's the harm?

Is it his rifle or yours?

The harm of shortening/padding would be in materially altering the configuration of the gun. If a small part has already been doctored (as this has been) there's no harm in going a step further as it has already been irrevocably altered. It's not like we're discussing d/t'ed holes on the receiver for a Leupold 4-12, bending the bolt handle, Cerakoting the metal, and installing Uncle Mike's swivels. It's just two little 6-48 screw holes in the tail block, which probably half the 1920's out there had done to them 80 years ago anyway.

Factory original in all aspects? Of course leave it the hell alone. Already been dicked with? Let your conscience be your guide as to further alterations. Not all Savage enthusiasts are collectors who squirrel away piece after piece into a dark safe never to see the light of day again except for the occasional bragging photo. Many (the majority?) are hunters/shooters too who are happiest in actually using the pieces in their 'collection'.

Besides, like Skid said, who are we to dictate to a man regarding what he does with his gun?

I searched the internet for a bolt that wasn't altered and Numrich had a 1920 tail block for $25 so it's on the way. If the blueing matches, all will be well. Thanks
Bill