Mod.54 - 70 Conversion Transition

WINCHESTER

Rifles

Category : C

Caliber : .270 Winchester

 

Building this rifle was a real challenge.

The Winchester Mod.54 at the origin of the project left the New Haven Factory in 1928 and was one of the first chambered for the then new .270WCF⁽¹⁾ marketed by the manufacturer at the end of 1925.

Exported at the beginning of the thirties to England, it has been proofed at Birmingham and bears the English proof marks.

This rifle, the first modern bolt-action hunting rifle manufactured by Winchester after the First World War, bears an elegant profiled 24" nickel steel barrel with integral front and rear sights bases forged with the blank.

The system uses a forged steel receiver almost identical to that which will become the model 70 and if the bolt remains very close it is largely inspired by the productions of Mauser Werke and Newton Arms C°. Inc.

Among the defects and drawbacks of the mechanism, subsequently improved on Mod. 70, the bolt stop within the trigger system, the blind magazine and the folded sheet bottom metal remain the most obvious.

On the other hand, the manufacturing quality and flag safety do not call for criticism.

We retained the original receiver, barrel and bolt assembly, all parts in superb condition, and we converted the trigger system to the Mod.70 standard before fitting a magazine box, trigger guard and hinged floor plate of the same model.

The trigger is now single stage, set to a 2lb let-off.

The reliable and sturdy separate bolt stop is concealed and if we have retained the excellent original line of sight consisting of a #6W rear sight with two folding leafs and a Marbles #10 Gold Sheard front sight pinned to the support, we have also added a superb period Lyman 48W diopter on the left side of the receiver.

The stock, made of high grade English walnut, takes up the general look of the first W70's produced before the war with many personalized details. The curved butt plate, in checkered steel, is an old production of the great Al Biesen, the grip cap is also in steel and the swivel eyelets are the original ones used by Winchester on the Mod.54.

With its 14½" LOP, its perfectly adapted drop and cast-off, this stock takes advantage of the remarkable balance of this 8.29lb rifle and largely contributes to its effectiveness in off hand fast shooting.

 

More than an elegant rifle, this Model 54 "Transition" was a challenge and the offered price does not reflect the time and investment necessary for its creation.

Of course, this rifle bears our full guarantee, both for the excellence of its operation and for the delivered accuracy.

 

 

(1) WCF for: Winchester Center Fire