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Make: Winchester
Model: 54 "NRA Standard”
Serial Number: 40913A
Year of Manufacture: 1934
Caliber: .270 Winchester (.270 WCF)
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Internal Box Magazine
Barrel Length: 24”, Round
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a ramped base fixed to the barrel and slotted for a hood (none included). The rear sight is a “U”-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel; the notch is fine elevation adjustable. The top of the chamber ring has a pair of drilled, tapped, and filled holes, as does the left side of the receiver.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is one-piece checkered walnut with a checkered forend, checkered semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb, sling swivels at the front and rear, and a checkered steel buttplate. The stock has some scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches. The checkering is strong and attractive. There are no chips. There is a small crack on the front left of the forend. The LOP measures 13 3/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has some wear primarily at the heel and toe, but the checkering remains strong. Overall, the stock is in about Fine Condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish is strong and complete throughout, save for the bottom metal which shows a modest amount of scratches and scuffs that have removed some of the finish, along with finish loss around the edges. There is thinning on the muzzle and front sight. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The rifle has a three-position safety similar to the M-1903: all the way to the left locks the bolt and disables the trigger; straight up disables the trigger but the bolt is free to move; to the right enables the rifle to be fired. We did not fire this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 54 was the company's first bolt-action rifle firing high-velocity cartridges capable of taking big game, and for use in so-called big-bore target matches, and laid the groundwork for the famed Model 70. It had a fairly short production run, with about 50,000 made from 1925-1936. The “NRA Standard” of the Model 54 rifle was introduced in 1931, and featured a select-grade walnut stock with checkering, and a checkered steel buttplate.
This Winchester Model 54 NRA Standard Rifle was made in 1934 and is in Fine Condition. It features a 24” barrel, 95% of its lustrous, original blued finish, an elegant one-piece walnut stock (there’s a small crack on the front left of the forend) with a checkered forend, checkered semi-pistol grip, and checkered steel buttplate, clear markings, solid mechanics, and a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion. This classic Depression-era Model 54 is chambered in .270 WCF, a suitable cartridge for hunting deer-sized game at open ranges, making it ideal for plains game and mountain hunting. This high condition example is likely better suited for a well curated Winchester collection.