On several occasions many years ago I recall seeing Model 54's that had pre-war M70 bolt handles. Perhaps the entire bolt had been switched. I'm curious to know what explains this detail. Thanks for any information.

Bill, years ago I was told this was the case but I never verified it especially with the cost of a model 70 bolt being so high. I do know as a fact that you can use model 70 bottom metal with just the addition of a tapped front hole onto the receiver as the model 54 front hole was in a different location. If memory serves me one has to work pretty hard to come up with a nice bolt stop however. Good luck...

Edward Lundberg, Colorado Springs

I had a 54 once that had a 70 bolt, safety, and bolt release. I seem to recall having read an ad that Winchester offered this as a service for a few years after the 70 came out?

May be a little OT but here goes. Took my 54 action to Abercrombie and Fitch and went upstairs to Griffen And Howe. Spoke with George Beitzinger and we agreed a model 70 bolt handle would be perfect. Two weeks later i had my 54 action back with an expertly done model 70 style bolt handle. Redfield was still making their Junion one piece bases for the '54 Still have that action after over 30 years.Frank

May be a little OT but here goes. Took my 54 action to Abercrombie and Fitch and went upstairs to Griffen And Howe. Spoke with George Beitzinger and we agreed a model 70 bolt handle would be perfect. Two weeks later i had my 54 action back with an expertly done model 70 style bolt handle. Redfield was still making their Junion one piece bases for the '54 Still have that action after over 30 years.Frank

Time marches on. I remember the Griffin and Howe gun room at Abercombie and Fitch well. It closed, along with rest of Abercombie and Fitch, in 1977, over 40 years ago.

Fresh out of the navy in '67 and probably picked up the barreled action in Brooklyn NY a few years later. Cost me the magnificent sum of $40 bucks back then. Course I was making about $3 bucks and hour at the time. gas was about 25-30 cents a gallon. Ran into George a few years later at his shop on Atlantic ave in Queens NY. Through him and his gunsmithing talents helped me rescue a bubba'd 1903A3 Springfield. Still have that old Springfield. Some of you know that George retired a few years back. Saw some of the pics of him in his shop as they moved his stuff out. Think he was deeply sad by the expression on his face. Hoping he's still around and enjoying his well deserved retirement. Frank