I have a couple of questions on my M54. First, the serial number has an 'A' at the end? It definitely appears to be from the factory... I do not know what that means and was hoping that someone could help me out there... Second, the rifle has many Griffin and Howe modifications - confirmed by G&H, but is not marked G&H on the barrel that I can tell? I have not removed the stock and checked underneath. The G&H records don't go back to 1929, so they could not definitely confirm nor deny it was a G&H gun, just say "it appeared to be". Can anyone help value this weapon please? Thanks!

Here is the response from G&H:


I reviewed your photos with Paul Chapman who is the VP and Director of Gunsmithing for G&H and has been with the company for about 30 years. Although, as I previously mentioned, there are no existing shop records dating to the period of the custom work on your rifle, we feel that the work is typical of the G&H work at that time. Specifically, the scope mount has been applied in a manner that is typical of the G&H shop, with blind pins and screws. Also, the stock is a G&H pattern although several other custom gunmakers used similar stocks, including Wundhammer, Adolph, and Hoffman. The bolt knob has a single panel checkering that is typical of G&H. The PG cap looks like G&H. The buttplate is a G&H model. They were made in Germany but hand checkered and engraved by G&H. The horn forend tip is typical of G&H as is the Lyman aperture sight. If G&H had marked the rifle, it would like appear in the form of a legend on the top of the barrel between the front and rear sights. The buttplate is nicely engraved – is there any other engraving on the rifle, such as the magazine floorplate or the pistol grip cap? Is there a G&H legend on top of the barrel?

We are not certain at what point the letter suffix may have been added to the serial number but we feel that it was done by Winchester. I reviewed the Von Lengerke & Detmold and the Abercrombie & Fitch records for Winchester rifles sold between 1926 and 1931 and of all of the Model 54’s sold (probably about 75), only 5 of those had a letter ‘A’ at the end of the number. They are 23806A, 23923A, 25513A, 25568A, and 25708A. There were numbers higher, lower and in between these numbers that did not have the letter recorded. There was nothing in the description to suggest the meaning of the letter. You might check with the Cody Museum since they have the Winchester records.

I hope that this helps a bit. Although we can say nothing definite, the work is certainly “in the style of the G&H shop”.

Regards,

Robert C. Beach
Records Research
Griffin & Howe, Inc
33 Claremont Road
Bernardsville, NJ 07960
908-766-2287

That is one beautiful rifle...

Sorry I'm not versed on that particular specimen enough to answer your questions, but I'm sure some one will wander along and know.

I wish I could be more help but unfortunately I do not have any more insight to your questions. I will however check with all my contacts and see if anyone does. I appreciate you sharing pictures with us of your beautiful Winchester Model 54 bolt action rifle!

I have sent the pictures and my questions to the Cody Firearms Museum with hopes that they can assist. Will keep you posted on the response.

I appreciate everyone's help in checking into this rifle!

Here are a few more pictures that may help...

Well, it looks like no luck with the Cody Firearms Museum....

Thank you for your interest in the Cody Firearms Museum Records Department. We offer factory letters from the original handwritten factory records of Winchester, Marlin and LC Smith. The letters tell the shipping dates and the original configuration of the firearm when it left the warehouse. The letters start at $60.00 each. You can send us the model and serial number along with a check or call us with a credit card number. Right now the letters take 4 weeks.

Unfortunately the records for the model 54 no longer exist so we cannot do a letter for you.

Hope you have a great day,

The information provided in this e-mail is from the original company ledgers archived at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. The Cody Firearms Museum of the Buffalo Bill Historical center makes no representations concerning the authenticity of the firearm, its value or the history of ownership. If the content of this e-mail does not match the current configuration of your firearm, please contact the Cody Firearms Museum Record Office. Acknowledging that many firearms have been modified over the years, we will be happy to double-check the entry.

Connie Miller
Assistant Records Specialist/Inventory
Cody Firearms Museum
720 Sheridan Avenue
Cody, WY 82414
307-578-4109
FAX: 307-578-4079
e-mail: conniem@bbhc.org
http://www.bbhc.org

What a Beautiful looking rifle you have here, but i am not to familiar with this model so i am not sure if i can be much help. I will try and do some research to see if i can help you out.

Here is another update from Griffin and Howe. It looks like a possible clue on the serial number A.... My serial number puts the rifle in the 1929 model range.... I wonder what the new extractor difference is?


Dan,

I just learned from Mike Petrov that in either 1928 or 1929 Winchester changed the extractor on the Model 54 and marked them with an ‘A’ after the serial number.

Regards,

Bob Beach
Records Archivist
Griffin & Howe, inc.
33 Claremont Road
Bernardsville, NJ 07924
908-766-2287 Office
201-650-3503 Cell

I appreciate the update and look forward to finding out more about your Winchester Model 54 Griffin and Howe!

Does anyone have a manual for this rifle? Specifically how to take it down completely? I want to be careful when cleaning it for sure.... Thanks, Dan

Unfortunately I have not been able to located a owners manual for the Winchester Model 54 yet (http://www.gunknowledge.com/Documents/W ... index.html has a bunch but not the Model 54).

To: Dan Jenkins
Date: August 2, 2011

The Winchester Model 54 Bolt Action Rifle was introduced in 1925 and continued in production until 1941 with approximately 50,161 made. Of those, 2461 had 20 inch barrels, 3214 were target type rifles, and 1161 were Super Grade rifles. The Model 54 answered the demand for a bolt action rifle capable of firing the .30-06 and other high power cartridges.

The Model 54 was first chambered in the 270 W.C.F. and the .30 Gov’t. ’06. In 1927 the .30-30 and the .250-3000 chamberings were offered. In 1929 the 7MM, 7.65MM, and 9MM were added. The .22 Hornet was added in 1932 and in 1935 the 220 Winchester Swift and 257 Roberts were added to the Model 54 chamberings. The .30-30 was discontinued in 1930.

The standard barrel was twenty-four inches with a twenty inch barrel available by special order. In 1927, the Model 54 was offered in a twenty inch carbine. The .30-06 snipers rifle was offered with a twenty-six inch barrel. The magazine was a staggered box type that held 5 rounds in all calibers except the 9MM which held four rounds. Receivers were drilled and tapped for receiver sights.

At serial numbers around 20,500 a major improvement was made to the firing pin travel. At the same time, some minor improvements and changes were made. All guns produced with the improvements and changes, will have the letter “A” after the serial number.

Accredited museums, such as ours, are not permitted to provide pricing, values, or appraisals of any kind. For a specific value you will need the services of an experienced and respected firearms appraiser who will develop a written appraisal for you for a fee. If you only desire a ball park figure, we recommend the “Blue Book of Gun Values”. It is authored by S. P. Fjestad and is widely available from your local book stores, gun shows, gun shops and libraries.

Your serial number 24793A was produced in approximately 1929, according to secondary resources. Factory production records do not exist for your gun, therefore specific production data about your gun is not available.

Kind Regards;


Daniel L. Brumley
Curatorial Assistant
Firearms Information
Cody Firearms Museum
Buffalo Bill Historical Center
720 Sheridan Avenue
Cody, Wyoming 82414
E-mail: danielb@bbhc.org
Phone: 307-578-4117

Cody Firearms Museum really pulled through for you with information regarding your Winchester Model 54 griffin and howe! Thanks for sharing your update with us.

I'm not sure what you're looking to do in terms of disassembly. The bolt can be withdrawn simply by pulling the trigger (hard) while withdrawing the bolt. Otherwise, takedown is like a M-70 - carefully pull the guard screws and forearm screw, and lift out. Do not mess with the various sideplate stop screws except to make windage adjustments. Unless there is some compelling reason to pull the gun from stock, and unless you are not as ham-handed as me, best leave it alone.

That is one nice period-correct G&H. Mine is a well-used standard grade, nowhere near as nice as yours. I hunt with it. It has the double lever side mount, a 2.5X Hensoldt, and the G&H safety modification. Glass smooth action. Can do 1 MOA at 100 yds.

Value for these things is tough to pigeon-hole. Best bet is to check large auction houses past results. Back 20 years ago these things languished behind original condition guns. Now people are more cognizant of the value added by G&H, Sedgley, etc. and are paying for it at auction. Your gun would bring substantially more than an unaltered original '06.

Congrats on your find.

Sam

What a beautiful rifle!
If I happen across an owner's manual, I'll certainly let you know.
I, too, am glad that appreciation is catching up to the quality of these fine rifles.