New (to me) small bore rifle

[motorcycle_dan]

I'm lucky enought to live in Ohio near Champion Shooter Supply. Carl had this old Anschutz giv'n me the stink eye every time I came in the store. Well it followed me home. A model 54 Match. I haven't even put a round through it yet. I'm primarily a pistol shooter but like the accuracy of a .22 target rifle. Came with sights I asked when it was made and Carl guessed it was late 50's. Anyone have a serial number sheet for Anschutz? the serial number is 02060.

[gn303]

High motorcycledan! You have a grand old lady there!. When I started shooting (1970) practically all rifle shooters used a Mod.54. In those days the basic version sold for roughly about $200. (I hope this doesn't make you sick). The Anschutz rifle probably made more shooters addicted to competition then any other rifle or gun! Including me, although I switched to pistol rather quickly. Anyhow you've got yourself a nice item. Congrats.
Shoot it, because that's what it is been made for.
Regards,
Guy

[motorcycle_dan]

Shoot it, because that's what it is been made for

I don't collect them, I shoot everything I own. "Collecting" is for coins. A collection of fine firearms is for shooting. Still it would be nice to know the history of this model when it was made and even better if someone did much competition with it. I wish they could talk. I doubt mine has been used much. Way too nice condition to have been a high useage club gun.

[gn303]

Nice to hear that. Maybe this link (if you haven't visited it already) may inspire you :-))

http://jga.anschuetz-sport.com/index.ph ... &sprache=1#

Those were the days my friend...
Regards,
Guy

[Tim S]

That's one very early Match 54 lightweight. By the early 1960s it became the model 1407, and is the predecessor of the 1408/1407/1807/1907 UIT Standard rifles.

I think this is the earliest I've seen. The logo on the receiver should help date it. From memory Anschutz changed from the JGA logo in the 1950s. The company history pages on their website may give more info (posting from work, so I can't access it myself).

I have a feeling the dovetail on the barrel was to allow an open/tangent rearsight to be fitted.

[jkuna]

Maybe you could try to use this link.

https://jga.anschuetz-sport.com/index.p ... &sprache=1

Best regards,
jkuna

[motorcycle_dan]

managed to put some ammo through the rifle last night. According to Carl, the previous owner had a scope on it and used as a bench gun. Sights that came with it were nice but not capable of sighting in. Gun shoots Way low even with rear sight topped out. Bummer. I did get the groups quite nice but no where near point of aim. I was 10" low at 75yd. Put it back in the box and was trying to sort out a way to raise the rear sight when, DUhhhhhh, finally set in. The front is dovetailed clamped Much easier to lower the front. Left it with my gunsmith this morning. So another project presents itself.

[Tim S]

Dan,

it might be simpler to look for the correct foresight. The pictures show the rifle with what looks like a Redfield front tunnel. This sits much higher than the Anschutz equivalent, which is why you have elevation issues. I would bet that swapping to an Anschutz foresight will cure your problems; well at least in regards to zeroing the rifle.

A new Anschutz tunnel will not work, they changed the fitting in 1987, so a new one will also sit high. It has to be an older foresight.

[motorcycle_dan]

I would bet that swapping to an Anschutz foresight will cure your problems; well at least in regards to zeroing the rifle.
A new Anschutz tunnel will not work, they changed the fitting in 1987, so a new one will also sit high. It has to be an older foresight.

Okay, where do I find a "New old style front tube"

although I must admit I like the looks of the one on the gun now.

[Tim S]

I'd ask at the shop you bought it from. Old-style tunnels also frequently pop up on ebay.

[C. Perkins]

Dan;
Ebay is your best bet.
I have purchased many things from over seas off of Ebay for my 1950's BSA MKII.

Good luck
Clarence