Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
November 7, 2015
Offline
Very interesting, can’t recall even hearing about this model. Sounds like an important part of the 54/70 story.
Mike
TXGunNut said
Very interesting, can’t recall even hearing about this model. Sounds like an important part of the 54/70 story.
Mike
Yes, and presumably the .270 WCF story as well.
Does the Model 51 ring a bell with anyone? Reportedly 24 produced – anyone seen one before?
Anyone ever hunt with one? 😉
November 5, 2014
Offline
Only one I’d seen before is Photo 1-1 of Roger Rule’s M70 book, depicting one of these that’s in the CFM. This one ought to sit beside that one, if anyone wants to buy it off Amoskeag and donate it!!!
Mechanically, these were based mostly on the M1917 Enfield pattern rifles Winchester produced in WWI, predating the M54/70 designs. So a very important part of Winchester bolt action rifle history, but not much in the way of direct ancestry to the M54/70. The .270 WCF connection is interesting… The cartridge was first commercialized in the M54, so I guess it was developed using this test bed.
FWIW, Lloyd Thomsen’s article “The Forgotten 54” in the WACA magazine shows M54 S/N 4, a rifle that belongs to Wayne Miller. S/N 4 is likely the World’s first commercially-produced 270 WCF, as it’s known that M54 S/N 1, 2 and 3 were chambered in 30 GOV’T’06. That one belongs in a museum too!!! Hopefully David Birchrest’s upcoming M54 book will cover the “M51 story ” in some detail…
Best,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
Lou – thanks for the information. It was very informative. I don’t have Rule’s book as I’ve never been a M70 guy. Not that I find them uninteresting but you can only spread yourself so far. Anyway, do you happen to know if Rule identifies the serial number of the one at the CFM? And, is that rifle a take-down as well?
November 5, 2014
Offline
Hi Steve-
Rule’s book shows two “experimental” Winchester High Power Bolt Action Rifles and does not mention a Model Number, i.e. M51, assigned to either.
The first (mentioned above) looks very much like the Amoskeag auction lot, being based on the Enfield pattern (as was the Remington Model 30). The caption reads “Chambered for the .35 Newton cartridge, this takedown rifle design, ca. 1919, borrowed many action parts of the Model 1917 Enfield rifle, the magazine follower of which is identical to that of the M54.” Rule does not mention a serial number.
The second (photo 1-2 in the book) is a 1924 design, also takedown, receiver also looks Enfield-inspired (to me – the photos are not all that clear), chambered in 30 GOV’T’06, with double set triggers and a rapid taper barrel. That one is also attributed to the CFM.
Afraid that’s all I know (which isn’t much!!!)
Best,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
Gentlemen,
Years ago I stumbled across this piece of documentation (and added it to my research notes). It may help explain the subject rifle.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks Bert. Very interesting. And a bit of searching – good grief – it’s the cover gun on Herb Houze’s book on Winchester bolt action rifles:
https://gunandswordcollector.com/product/winchester-bolt-action-sporting-rifles/
November 7, 2015
Offline
steve004 said
Thanks Bert. Very interesting. And a bit of searching – good grief – it’s the cover gun on Herb Houze’s book on Winchester bolt action rifles:https://gunandswordcollector.com/product/winchester-bolt-action-sporting-rifles/
Wow! I think the price just went up!
Mike
I wonder how the mod 61’s are going to hold up to close inspection in that auction? There is a Routledge and a smooth bore and may be others, I had to stop looking before desire took hold of me.
jban said
I wonder how the mod 61’s are going to hold up to close inspection in that auction? There is a Routledge and a smooth bore and may be others, I had to stop looking before desire took hold of me.
I can’t answer your question about the Model 61’s… but that desire can grab a guy like a vise grip 
There is a painful gap in my Winchester holdings and 61 is it. I will satisfy my need for “just a plain ole” shooter of pretty complexion and good action when the time comes.
1 Guest(s)
