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Hi everyone I’m new here and plan to use this website to my advantage!! Lots of great info I had read already. I am looking for a front site for my M54 it wa recently gifted to me from my father and was originally my great grandfathers.
Can anyone point me in the right direction to purchase a new front site blade? The original was cut, not sure how and why and I would love to get my hands on one. I can email pictures if needed. Thank you
November 5, 2014
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Hi loopguidemax-
I presume that your M54 has the early Nickel Steel barrel and pinned front sight blade, as opposed to the Winchester Proof Steel barrel with a forged integral front sight ramp? A snapshot of the front sight would help.
The next question is whether the rifle has a receiver sight (Lyman 48W) or a barrel mounted rear sight (Lyman 66W). Reason for asking is that the front sight blades for the Nickel Steel barrels came in a couple of different heights (taller one for the receiver sight). So the right one depends on the other sights.
We should at least be able to tell you which one to look for, if not where to find one. I’ve gotten them off Ebay before, as they do turn up now and then.
Best,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
November 5, 2014
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Just to offer some follow-up information. I had to look this up, so I might be wrong, please correct me as needed:
According to the 1929 Winchester catalog, the M54 first standard rifle without a receiver sight came with a Lyman 26W gold bead (1/16″) front sight and Lyman 6W rear sight (one fixed and one folding leaf). With a factory installed Lyman 48W receiver sight, the rear sight was a Lyman 66W (two folding leaves) and the same 26W front sight blade.
According to Nick Strobel’s book, cataloged OPTIONAL front sights for the M54 were the Marble’s 895C (with gold, ivory or red bead) or Sheard gold bead. His listing of the application codes for the Sheard sight indicates the No. 10 was used with rifles in .30 GOV’T’06 and the No. 14 was used with .270 WCF. Presumably these differ in height? 
The later NRA standard rifle with the Winchester Proof Steel barrel carried sights like the early M70, i.e. Lyman 31W gold bead front and Winchester 22G on the barrel.
So there seem to be several options for what a “correct” front sight would be on an early M54 rifle. If the OP needs any help with what any of these look like, I can post photos of some of them.
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
Thank you for the reply guys, I am having problems uploading photos with my iPhone. Is this possible on this forum? If not I will get them as soon as possible when I’m home. A little more info on my rifle and sites.
yes it is the one with a leaf in the front site and a small set pin. It does have two folding leafs aswell and a rear peep site.
The front leaf does appear to be shaped somewhat like a trapezoid and from some photos I have found had a gold beat on the back. But with it being cut (possibly got bent) it looks more like a shark fin now.
From a cereal number search it was made in 1926 and is a 30-06 caliber.
Thank for you the feedback so far!! Hopefully soon I will be able to learn to use these sites wether I can replace the from leaf or not. I am new to the rifle world (am a bird person) and want to make this my go to hunting rifle.
November 5, 2014
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These aren’t the best photos, but are probably clear enough. First photo shows a Lyman 26W taken off a M54 1st standard rifle (unfortunately it’s missing the gold bead) compared to two Marbles 895C sights (ivory and gold). The 26W was standard, while the 895C was a cataloged optional sight:
Note that the 26W has no visible manufacturer’s name or number, while the Marble’s sights are coded. Obviously, the two Marbles sights are “new” (never installed so not drilled for the retaining pin).
Next photos are the Lyman 26W gold bead and Lyman 66W two folding leaf sights on a M54 1st standard rifle. This is the 26W I used to replace the broken one in pictured above. It is a Lyman “aftermarket” sight and is stamped “Lyman”:
Hope this helps! I do not have a spare unbroken Lyman 26W unfortunately.
Also… There are some real M54 experts who frequent this site. I’m not one of them. So if anything above is wrong, PLEASE correct me so I can learn!!! 
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
Thank you!! I think you nailed it! That is the site on the front, if anyone had a idea on where to purchase one I would be all over it! Even a undrilled one I could make work. Thank you
Also do you know what the ranges are on the 66w site? Is this supposed to be used with or without the peep site on the rear?
November 5, 2014
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On the early M54 1st standard rifle (like yours), the Lyman 6W was intended to be folded flat when the receiver sight was used. Alternatively, the 6W was used as the rear sight if the crossbar/staff of the Lyman 48W receiver sight was removed. Once the CMS barrel (with the integral front ramp) was adopted the receiver sight was accompanied by a Lyman 12S slot blank, not a folding sight.
As for ranges, I’ll quote from the 1929 Winchester WSSG&A catalog:
“The front sight is a Lyman 26W Gold Bead Sight while the rear sight is a Lyman No. 66W with one folding leaf. The fixed leaf is sighted for a point blank range of 200 yards. The folding leaf is approximately for 500 yards. When the rifle is equipped with the Lyman 48W rear sight, the No 6W Folding Leaf Sight is used on the barrel instead of the No. 66W.”
So it does not specifically state what the 6W was sighted for, but one might presume it was the same as the 66W???
My best guess for finding a Lyman 26W is eBay. I don’t have one, unfortunately, just the two Marbles 895C sights.
Best,
Lou
P.S. As a WACA member, it’s easy to link photos using your desktop computer, b/c it’s just a “drag and drop” into the “upload attachments” window below. I wouldn’t have a clue how to make it work on my cell phone, but then again I’m not very tech savvy…
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
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