Just picked up a Winchester model 54 30 Gov. This was a Winchester master engravers personal gun and has minor engraving on it. Excellent condition. My question is it has what appears to be a tapered, threaded hole in the middle of the diamond on the forearm checkering. It has the inletted sling swivel studs, so I don't believe it was a swivel stud. What is this hole for?
Very unique rifle. Engraving by Jasper Salerno and a drilled muzzle break from the early days. I can't load decent pictures on this site. Going hunting tomorrow for a week but will contact PM'rs when I return. A piece of Winchester history for sure.
That appears to be some type of Super Grade. Looks like the floor plate is hinged. Is the floor plate stamped Super Grade? Looks like a 20” Carbine barrel?
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
Doesn't say Super Grade on the floor plate. I never noticed but I measured the barrel. 20 inch....so it is a Super Grade carbine? Is that rare? Email Lcarver@ peak.org and I can send better pictures if necessary.
My research does not show a SG carbine as factory run. This would not surprise me as I have spent a lot of time on the phone with Jasper's nephew. He said Jasper was always after something unique and different. Jasper obviously had this gun made special order for himself.
Doesn't say Super Grade on the floor plate. I never noticed but I measured the barrel. 20 inch....so it is a Super Grade carbine? Is that rare? Email Lcarver@ peak.org and I can send better pictures if necessary.
A Super Grade “Short Rifle” with a carbine length barrel would be a “special order” proposition.
This rifle really needs a series of quality photos for any useful analysis! The 20" barrel coule be original or simply a cut down. The original had a forged integral ramp difficult to reproduce! The stock reflects some sort of floorplate not of Win 54 style. 'Looks like' Model 70. Suggesting a 70 stock adapted!
Beyond... Those quality pix essential. Believe fair to say NOT a Win 54 collectible of any sort. The fact of whatever decor doesn't change the alterations or resulting valuation as 'not original'. What it is, almost surely a "custom" and to be valued on that basis. The problem there, of a custom of a rifle largely outdated by the Model 70.
I'd also want to know the SN and under barrel markings. Also to see the bolt handle. Wouldn't surprise me at all to find it altered to better fit a Model 70 stock!
Perhaps at least really good Provenance, possibly adding some value to someone if "master engraver" true. Pardon frankness here, but this rifle seems to well reflect the truism: "Buy the gun, not the story."
