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Local guy has a Winchester 54 in 30-30 from the 30’s. Appears all original with peep sight. Pretty good condition. Asking $675.Is that a buy?
Thanks,
Lonnie
Yes, esp if peep is original; if so, should be a Lyman 48W. .30-30s not common.
Papalondog said
Looks original?
Unfortunately, no, but a good period sight perhaps put on by first owner; looks like a Redfield. Far better than the original open sight for shooting.
November 5, 2014
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Hi Lonnie-
That sight appears to be a Redfield 100W (not 102W). According to Nick Strobel’s book, the Redfield 100 series was first manufactured in the late 1920s or early 1930s, so it’s definitely contemporary to the rifle. It also had the advantage that it did not require inletting of the stock. Also… The pic is a little unclear, but it appears the rifle has a Lyman 6W (two-folding leaf) sight in the barrel dovetail. These were typically supplied on M54 1st standard rifles equipped with factory Lyman 48W receiver sights.
Here’s the funny part… 
I have a very high condition M54 1st standard rifle in 30 WCF (S/N 37315A). It has EXACTLY that combination of sights on it. The front sight is a Lyman 31W gold bead. Were these guns factory assembled this way? Who knows? They were never cataloged with a receiver sight other than the Lyman 48W, but the Redfield 100W was a listed “option”. Anyway, I take it for granted that mine had the sight added later, but it’s a neat sight and I’m leaving it… 
BTW… If the top of the bridge is not drilled and the bolt handle is unaltered, $675 is a great deal…
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
Thanks guys. I was able to pick it up along with an all original unmolested 1893 shotgun (pictures in the shotgun threads.). Looks all correct and unmolested and a LOT better condition than the pictures showed. Might get time to clean it up and post some pictures later this afternoon.
So the young man that I got this from inherited it about 10 years ag from his grandfather. His grandfather obviously knew what he was doing as when I ran a patch through the barrel I got old oil. Bore is flat mint. Bluing is a good 95% with a touch of blue hewing in the sunlight. Three small handling marks in the wood. Amazing condition. I am stoked. I don’t need another model to start collecting but WOW!
Papalondog said I don’t need another model to start collecting but WOW!
You’ve started off with one of the more desirable calibers, & the sights are an added bonus. Many shooters replacing the open rear sight with a rcvr sight wouldn’t go to the trouble of acquiring the folding sight (a Lyman #6). Do you see any “ghost” mark in the bluing behind the rear sight slot that would be evidence that it once had the standard rear sight?
November 7, 2015
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Pretty sure I’ll never be a Model 54 collector but if I was to pass up one this nice I’m hoping someone will have the sense to kick me right in the knee! Beautiful rifle, obviously owned by someone who was very fond of it. You are now the caretaker of an exceptional rifle, Lonnie.
Mike
Excellent start. I have two nodel 54s. One also in 30wcf and the other in 7mm. Still accurate!
November 5, 2014
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Hi Lonnie-
Really nice!!! Since I’ve been working on my gun photo project, I took a couple photos of my M54 in 30 WCF with the same sights as yours. Redfield 100W receiver sight and Lyman 6W barrel sight.
Regarding factory sights on the M54… Most, if not all, 30 WCF barrels were Nickel Steel, as the chambering had been discontinued before Winchester started using Winchester Proof Steel (CMS). The most obvious difference (besides the fact that the type of steel is roll marked on the barrel… ) is that the Nickel Steel barrels have the “pinned” front sight blade while the CMS barrels have the integral forged ramp with a dovetail for the front sight. On the Nickel Steel barrels, the standard rear sight for rifles without a receiver sight was a Lyman 66W (one fixed, one folding leaf), while rifles with a factory installed Lyman 48W receiver sight used the Lyman 6W (two folding leaf).
Lyman 66W:
Lyman 6W:
The Lyman 6W is a little different from the Lyman No. 6 (also a two folding leaf sight), as the latter had one flat topped blade (no notch) with a white painted triangle for aiming along with a taller blade with a wide “V”. The Winchester 22G Sporting Rear sight (the one that often leaves “elevator tracks” when removed) came along with the CMS barrels. That was also about the time Winchester started omitting the Lyman 6W on the barrel of rifles with receiver sights, substituting a (cheaper) dovetail slot blank.
Cheers,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
Louis Luttrell said On the Nickel Steel barrels, the standard rear sight for rifles without a receiver sight was a Lyman 66W (one fixed, one folding leaf),
Surprising this sight was used, rather than an adjustable one like the #22, considering that ’92 & ’94 carbines were provided with rear sights having more adjustment than most users would ever need.
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