Savage Arms Model 23C Sporter .32-20 Win Bolt-Action Rifle with Nikon Scope, 18-Inch Barrel
Produced in limited numbers before World War II, the Savage Model 23C Sporter stands out for pairing the mild-recoiling .32-20 Winchester cartridge with a slick cock-on-close bolt action. This example adds practical value with an 18-inch carbon-steel barrel, a factory detachable magazine (now fixed in place), and a mounted Nikon riflescope on Weaver bases. Collectors will note the original Savage steel butt-plate and patented 1917 speed-lock system—details that mark this rifle as both uncommon and historically interesting.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair – shows extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Rifling Condition: Good – intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
The metal surfaces display scattered pitting, finish wear, and areas of rust. The walnut stock bears several dings and scratches consistent with field use. The factory magazine has been modified to remain fixed, and the barrel appears to have been shortened and re-crowned to its current 18-inch length.
What’s Included
- Nikon riflescope mounted in Weaver 63-series rings and bases
- Factory steel detachable (now fixed) 5-round magazine
Only about 14,500 Model 23C rifles left the Savage plant, and far fewer were chambered in .32-20 WCF, giving this Sporter genuine scarcity among pre-war American bolt actions.
The patented speed-lock bolt delivers a crisp strike while cocking on the forward stroke, a feature advanced for its 1920s era and appreciated by shooters who favor rapid follow-up shots.
An 18-inch carbon-steel barrel keeps the rifle trim and lively, while the full-length walnut stock maintains classic sporting lines and retains its original oil finish.
The slide safety mounted on the receiver tang provides straightforward, ambidextrous operation—another hallmark of Savage’s practical design approach.
Completing the package, the mounted Nikon optic offers a bright sight picture, making the rifle range-ready for small-game or informal target work without further investment.