TXGunNut said
Went by my favorite orphanage on a tip about an interesting Model 54 (but that’s an oxymoron, right?) that didn’t pan out but after bit of chit-chat with the manager I learned he had a 75 Sporter (SN 85021) in the back that his regional buyer had wanted to purchase but for some reason decided against it. I’d heard chatter about this rifle so was very glad it was available. Other than missing sights (dovetails filed with period Lyman blanks) and a few handling marks it looks like new. Checkering not even stained with sweat or oil yet. Bore looks new, as does bolt face. Some of you with sharper eyes will notice the trigger guard is (was) bent into the trigger causing the bolt to drop out on opening and keeping the trigger from releasing the sear. Nothing major, just disturbing enough to knock the price down $100. A few minutes with a padded vise and a brass hammer and it was test fire time! It’s raining a bit so a quick shot into my favorite stump confirmed all was good. Trigger very light and crisp. Scope is not marked that I could find; rings marked “Weaver Tip-Off” and “1.000” USA”.

Pics are indoor with poor lighting, my apologies.

 

  

Well, you probably beat the hell out of the price my friend Tom paid for his. He used my C&R and when the rifle got to me, it was drippy mint and very cheap.

The bbl. plug is not Winchester, so it was added later, perhaps when it had a rear sight. I cannot tell by the photo, it is too dark, if the stock was ever cut for a Lyman M57. It does have a grooved receiver? Nice find. Now you can cross that 22 off your list.   Big Larry

TXGunNut said
Stock not cut for receiver sight, grooved receiver. I like the little Lyman sight blanks, lots smoother and smaller than ones I find these days.

I don’t have a list, just a nice little family. My other 75 has been riding around in my truck all week, was nice to shoot both of them today.

 

  

I cannot tell if that is an original sling. The piece of leather in the holes near the rear swivel are my concern. The keeper staples will be diamond shaped on the originals. Neither one of my Sporters have a sling and just one of my M75 target rifles does. Are there any marks on the top of the bbl. made by removing the rear sight, or sliding the elevator back and forth? In any event. Nice rifle.   Big Larry

TXGunNut said
Thanks!

If I had to hazard a guess as to this rifle’s story I’d say the sights were removed, 3/4″ sling, sight blanks and scope installed and sighted in when new. I suspect it was a gift that was only fired a few times, if at all. Sling does not appear to be OE.

Range report:

Scope was sighted in and very clear, pretty impressive for the apparent vintage. First few groups with Norma Tac exhibited a bit of vertical stringing, Norma Match groups settled down with very few fliers. I had it out of the stock last night so it may have just needed to settle in. (or break in?) Groups weren’t spectacular @ a little over an inch @ 50 but it’s possible I haven’t found the load it likes. The Norma ammo is my standard, this is the first rifle that showed an marked preference for the Match over the Tac ammo. I have heard that Match is simply selected lots of Tac but they use a different lube process so I’m not convinced.

Trigger is much better than my 75 Target, may need to take it to my ‘smith and address the trigger on the Target rifle.

Verdict:

Keeper!

I can’t discuss the price on an open forum, Big Larry. I’m cooking supper and drinking good bourbon so a visit from the gun police would be disruptive and unpleasant.   

I was just wondering what the bbl. date was. If you should ever decide to go back to iron sights, those take a Winchester 32-D which are a bit harder to find loose. After what my friend Tom paid for his, I really am not interested in prices unless it is a rare rifle such as a Jr. or a M1902-A. The two I don’t have. Tom is still hiding out watching for the Gun Police.   Big Larry