Winchester 52-E 52E International Match .22 LR Single Shot Target Rifle
SOLD FOR: $6,625
LSB#: 230930MT052
Make: Winchester
Model: 52-E Prefix International Match Rifle
Serial Number: E123021
Year of Manufacture: 1975-1980
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Bolt Action, Single Shot Rifle
Barrel Length: 28”, Recessed Crown
Sights / Optics: There are two sight blocks installed on the barrel, one at the rear and one rear of center. The top of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for optic mounts (none present). There is a Redfield International globe-style sight mounted to a block at the muzzle with an aperture insert installed. The left-rear of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Redfield International receiver sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation. A Lyman Supertargetspot 20x scope with crosshair reticle is included (with rings). The scope has minor wear in the body with clear glass.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a laminate, international-style stock as seen in Winchester promotional material. The stock has a contoured thumbhole pistol grip, monte-carlo comb with cheekpiece, beavertail forend with full-length inlet rail which has a handstop/sling swivel installed, and an adjustable buttplate assembly with serrated Mershon Sure Grip buttpad. Also included is an alloy hooked buttplate with a serrated inlay. The action and chamber-area of the barrel are bedded to the stock. The stock has a few scattered light marks and compressions. The accessory rail shows minor use-wear. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad with the adjustment bottomed out, 14 1/4″ when extended fully, and 9 1/2″ to the back of the wood. Overall, the stock is in Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. Most of the balance is scattered tiny marks on the alloy trigger guard assembly. The action shows light operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are crisp. Overall, this rifle rates in Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The Kenyon trigger is very light and crisp with no over-travel. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes in a wood case fitted for the rifle with the scope and hooked buttplate noted above, palm-rest with extension mounting bar, fixed bipod, steel and clear plastic aperture inserts for the front sight, Merit iris shutter eyepiece and a plain eyepiece for the receiver sight, two Winchester 52D manuals, instruction sheet for the Kenyon trigger and a 1972 dated receipt from Waska’s Shooting Supplies in Tulsa, OK for a “WINCHESTER 52 INT’L RIFLE” (see Our Assessment).
Our Assessment: From “The Winchester Model 52 Perfection in Design”, by Herbert G. Houze, Page 160 “Without question, the entire Model 52 rifle program reached its zenith in 1969, when the International Match Rifle was introduced. Elegant in form and possessing unparalleled shooting characteristics, the International Match Rifle equaled anything offered by the Company’s European competitors.” While this originally referred to the Model 52D, there would be one final variation which began development in 1968. Winchester thought they would be able to introduce this new model in 1971 (and based on the included receipt, they likely started offering them for sale by 1972), but the Type E was not unveiled until 1975. The whole 52 line had become a loss-leader for Winchester, who was selling the rifles for less than it cost to make them. Their unrivaled performance inspired sales, so they continued through to 1980 before the WRACo division was sold off by Olin. Production of the Type E was quite limited, split between standard Target models, International Match and International Prone models.
This is a wonderful example of a 52E International Match. Not only does it have the popular Kenyon trigger (a factory option which was more popular than the standard Winchester trigger), but it comes with a wild variety of accessories including Redfield International open sights, a Lyman Super Targetspot 20x optic, palm-rest, bipod, hooked buttplate and carry case. The rifle is in Fine-Excellent condition, showing signs of light and responsible use. This is one of those great rifles that is not just a scarce and desirable collector piece in great condition, but also a wonderful target rifle that will be quite at home on the shooting range for generations to come. Please see our pictures and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
