1920 Bolt action ? W?Pics

[375Win]

I just picked up a rifle that I believe to be a Model 1920. It is a boltaction 250-3000 but the patend dates on the barrel are 1916-1919 and has a Utica address. There is no Model designation on the reciever and the cocking knob has a large dovetail cut in it, the seriel# is in the 12xx range. It is a very light rifle and the metal seams to be in good condition but the stock is rough and has had SS added. The stock is beyond repair and am looking for a fair stock or doing a Mannlicher style to use it as a hunting rig. Any info would be great.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/Browndaug/CD1920002.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/Browndaug/CD1920005.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/Browndaug/CD1920004.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/Browndaug/CD1920009.jpg

375Win

[ellobo]

A good picture would help us figure it out.

El Lobo

[nsaqam]

The well-built Model 1920 is a very fine rifle and relatively rare.
IIRC Layne Simpson has one and it is one of his favorite lightweight rifles.
I believe that the 1920 was the first sporting CF rifle, not derived from a military rifle, introduced to the American public.
The chambering of .250-3000 is also very nice.
If it were mine I would search for a factory original stock although the search may be a long one.

[375Win]

Just added the pic.

375Win

[nsaqam]

That would be one fine rifle with a high grade walnut Mannlicher stock!

[Jim Watson]

the cocking knob has a large dovetail cut in it

That is for a cocking piece peep sight. It got the aperture as close to the eye as possible, like a tang sight on a lever action. But folks worried about wobble in the bolt and the receiver sight pretty well took over in later years.

[oidad]

the cocking knob has a large dovetail cut in it

That is for a cocking piece peep sight. It got the aperture as close to the eye as possible, like a tang sight on a lever action. But folks worried about wobble in the bolt and the receiver sight pretty well took over in later years.


one such sight is the Lyman 1A, they come up on ebay with some frequency.

[J.Baker]

Would love to have an old Model 1920, but all I ever come across are 30-06's and I need one of those like I need a hole in the head.

Good luck finding an original stock for it, as most that are still around are on a complete gun. Not sure if Boyds or anyone offers a replacement either, so it might be a custom job. Personally I don't think I'd put a Mannlicher stock on it as they were never offered with one and typically the front barrel band has a bad effect on accuracy. If it were me, I'd try to find a custom stock maker who could duplicate the original for you.

[sinman]

here you go, about half way down the page

http://www.gunstocksinc.com/web_pages/Plate-pics/Stevens-stocks/Rifle-stocks.htm

[375Win]

Thanks for the info, the stock link looks like winner.

375Win

[Eric in NC]

I believe that the 1920 was the first sporting CF rifle, not derived from a military rifle, introduced to the American public.



If you mean Bolt Action Sporter, maybe (I will go with the 1899 Remington-Lee Sporter - enough different from the military guns to make it a unique model for me).

If you mean Sporting CF - you have all the Winchesters, Ballards, Stevens, etc. to contend with.

Good luck finding a cocking piece sight - see them on ebay quite often but they are spendy!

[avery53-mi]

I had one of the 1920's some years ago.
Gun was great shape, with a pristine bore. Could never get it to shoot a group.
Tried every load known to man, flat wouldn't put them on a paper plate at a 100yds. :'(
I even had a gunsmith go through it, and shoot it himself. He finally gave up on it.
I sold it to a guy out of state, and told him about the poor accuracy, but he still bought it.
Hope he had better luck with it than I did.
Beautifully built gun though!
avery