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First time here….I picked up a Winchester model 54 today with the serial number 59 on the right forward of the receiver. I bought this rifle knowing there were several things that bothered me. First, it has a rubber butt pad. Second, the stock was obviously reworked, and poorly at that. Lastly, the blueing appears to be uneven. In fact the receiver is rather mottled.
I never knew this, but when I showed it to a buddy at a LGS the first thing he did was smell it. Never knew that was a thing. Anyway, after a few people smelled it, they said they were not convinced it was in fact ever reblued. Doesn’t seem very scientific to me…..
Anyway, I was intrigued by the two digit serial number and would appreciate it if anyone here with the knowledge would like to have a conversation about this rifle and may share a few pictures.
Thanks,
Jerry
February 18, 2011
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I can attest to lingering odor validity. Such in terms of pee around the house during puppy training (tile floors fortunately). Also the ‘great unwashed’ in shared elevators and like confines! But smelling residual bluing… At best recall something of a ‘citrus odor’ on cold blue as recently applied; that many years ago. But lingering, especially consistent with probably of “decades old”, there I hit an olfactory tilt.
Perhaps better to ask a woman if she smells an odor. Though likely the liability of, should she find something, to describe a “Vinegary, malt cookie with touch of Basel, Thyme & rotten punkins!”. Hate it when that happens!
Yet seriously, isn’t your actual question more directly about the particular bluing on you 59 – 54? Might it be better presented in that context? Such as whether other than refinish might account for ‘mottling’ of early original Model 54 blue?
Just my take
I was going to upload a picture, but since I’m a “guest” I am not allowed to post links……
Jerry
April 15, 2005
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Jerry,
Actually, as a “Guest”, you can post a “link”, but you can not directly post pictures. I suggest that you register as a “User”, or sign up for a membership.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 1, 2013
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Jerry said
I never knew this, but when I showed it to a buddy at a LGS the first thing he did was smell it. Never knew that was a thing. Anyway, after a few people smelled it, they said they were not convinced it was in fact ever reblued. Doesn’t seem very scientific to me…..
It ain’t. Cold blue does leave a characteristic odor, so possibly that’s what they had in mind; although the more likely explanation is simply that they were BSing you.
April 26, 2015
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Good grief, Jerry, just register as a user! It ain’t gonna cost ya nuttin until you get hooked and join the Assoc. BK
April 15, 2005
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Jerry,
Unfortunately there are no records at the CFM. Pauline Muerrle might have the serialization records, but it is a safe bet that your rifle was made in the first month of production.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
June 26, 2017
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I spoke with someone there this afternoon (maybe Pauline….I thought she said Colleen) and she stated she did not have records for the M54. Like always, I pulled the stock off her and after looking it over, I am not convinced it has been reblued but I need to have an expert make that determination. It could be honest wear over the last 92 years….except for the stock….someone ruined that!
Excited where this rabbit hole will lead me.
April 26, 2015
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Thanks Jerry! That’s a good looking receiver. Can you (please) post photos of the rest of the rifle?
June 26, 2017
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Sure Bruce….I’ll see what I can do but I’ve never had much luck taking decent pictures with my cell phone. While poking around on the website, I noticed the museum would be represented in Tulsa this November. It’s only five hours from here and I haven’t been since I was a kid, but that is also opening weekend for modern rifle here in arkysaw…..
Jerry
June 26, 2017
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Not that this adds much to this post, but I had the 54 looked at by an older gentleman here that is a local model 70 collector. I asked him his opinion on the finish and if he thought it had ever been refinished. He said the coloring on the receiver bothered him a little but it was very early. After inspecting it, he stated that all the stamping were very crisp and if it had been refinished someone had done an exceptional job. Only down side is that at some point it had been drilled and tapped for a side-mount scope mount. He said the name of the mount, but I don’t remember.
Jerry
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