Winchester Model 52B 52-B 28″ .22 LR Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1940 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1475
LSB#: 220105JM006
Make: Winchester
Model: 52B
Serial Number: 62251B
Year of Manufacture: 1940, sometime between 5 and 15 November
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Shot, Bolt Action, Rimfire Target Rifle
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S. OF. AMERICA”, “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK”, “-MODEL 52—22 L.RIFLE-“. The left-rear of the barrel and left-front of the receiver each have an ovalled “WP” proof. The left of the receiver is marked with the serial number, “62251”. The right side of the chamber ring is marked “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK”. The right rear of the receiver is marked “MADE IN IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN. PATENTED”.
Barrel Length: 28″
Sights/Optics: The top of the barrel is installed with three male dovetail bases—attached to the forward most base is a globe target sight attached. The rear sight is a Marble Goss Win 52 aperture sight.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is a one-piece smooth walnut with beavertail forend, pistol grip, straight comb, and a checkered sheet steel buttplate. The forend has an inlet 4″ factory accessory rail with a handstop/sling mount installed. The belly and underside of the forend have light nicks and compressions scattered down the length of the wood. Either side of the buttstock and forend have very few minor nicks and compressions. There are no chips or cracks. The accessory rail has light wear from installing and removing accessories. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the plate. The plate has light thinning and minor nicks along the edge. Overall, the stock is in Very Good-to-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright, the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are very minor handling marks, but otherwise the metal is free of notable wear or damage. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine-to-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This rifle includes one magazine.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 52 is a bolt-action .22-caliber target rifle introduced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1920. For many years, it was the premier small-bore match rifle in the United States, if not the world. Known as the “King of the .22’s,” the Model 52 has been called by Winchester historian Herbert Houze “a perfection in design”. The Model 52 was finally discontinued in the 1980s because it was too costly to manufacture, and its popularity had waned in the face of expensive European rifles. The Model 52 underwent several changes throughout its life, and although different model names were not advertised, and the barrel markings remained the same, letter suffixes were added to the serial number to designate significant design changes. This is a model 52B which was produced in November of 1940 and appears to have seen just light use. The metal is rich and the most wear can be seen only on the wood. The rifle is in Fine-to-Excellent condition with 97% of its metal finish, some light wear in the stock, a good bore, strong mechanics and a fine trigger. This rifle will make a nice benchrest rifle for the lucky winner and a great addition to a Winchester collection. Good luck and happy bidding!