Winchester Model 52C 52-C Sporting 22LR 24″ Lilja Barrel Bolt Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1925
LSB#: 211209GH03
Make: Winchester
Model: 52 C
Serial Number: 93366C
Year of Manufacture: 1956
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle fed by Detachable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER .22LR”. The left-front of the receiver has an ovalled “WP” proof. The left of the receiver is marked with the serial number “93366C”. The bolt is hand scribed “93847”. The right side of the chamber ring is marked “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK”.
Barrel Length: 24″. The barrel is a custom Lilja replacement.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded brass beaded blade dovetailed atop a checkered ramped riser that is screwed to the barrel. The rear sight is a Lyman 48 receiver sight adjustable for windage and elevation. The left side of the sight has a well defined micrometer scale, marked “0/15/30/45/60,” with the additional marking of the Lyman logo. The top of the receiver has two pairs of drilled, tapped, and filled holes for mounting an optic (not included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece walnut with a pistol grip, a straight comb with cheek rest on the left side, and a flat shotgun style checkered synthetic Winchester buttplate. It features the checkering on both sides of the forestock, as well as the three checkered “diamonds” on the forestock’s bottom. The pistol grip has a hard rubber cap and the forend has an ebony nose cap. Sling plates are inlaid and screwed to the belly and the forend with Winchester Super-Grade sling swivels (standard width – 1”) installed. The stock has some scattered light nicks, compressions, and scratches. The checkering is generally sharp throughout, showing light handling wear. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 5/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate’s checkering is sharp and there are light marks along the edges and wear at the heel. Overall, the stock is in Very Good-Plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: The receiver has been refinished. The finish on the barrel is original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 94% of its metal finish. There are a few spots of surface erosion on the right side of the receiver and light thinning on the leading edges. There is also some light oxidation on the bolt handle and knob. The action shows operational wear and there is light oxidation on the bolt. The bottom metal shows light oxidation on the trigger guard and scattered little nicks and scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is light and crisp. There is a pull and over travel adjustment screw ahead of the trigger guard. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a 5-round blued steel magazine and Super-Grade (normal width – 1”) swivels front and rear. The magazine is marked on its floorplate with “MADE IN U.S.A. / WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK”. The magazine shows light operational wear.
Our Assessment: From its inception, Winchester had something special in mind for their Model 52. This rifle was never intended to be a typical .22 long rifle plinker, but rather a world class firearm that just happened to be chambered in a rimfire caliber. Fit and finish was comparable to a fine European sporting rifle, and a simple walk through the woods in search of small game with the Model 52 in hand could evoke the same emotions one might experience when hunting Africa’s fabled “Big 5,” only without fear of being stampeded or mauled! A great shooter then and now, accuracy rivaled its competitors; rest assured, the Model 52 would more than hold up its end of the bargain in any target shooting competition. The Model 52 underwent several changes throughout its 60-year production run, with mechanical and design alterations designated by different suffixes. Field & Stream, among the most respected hunting and fishing magazines ever published, called the Winchester Model 52 “one of the 50 best guns ever made.”
During the wartime hiatus the Post-War Production Recommendation Committee proposed that when Model 52 manufacture resumed, the poorly received Style B trigger should be replaced with a completely new design. In the event, Winchester returned to the 52B when the war ended, but in the meantime an extensive scientific study of lock mechanisms was undertaken. The result was Harry Sefried’s two-lever Micro-Motion trigger, introduced in 1951. Adjustable for pull-weight between 2.5 and 6 lbs, and travel between .030 and an almost imperceptible .003 inches, the Micro-Motion was an instant success and considered the new state-of-the-art in-match rifle trigger locks. This model 52C is equipped with a custom Lilja barrel with a bright bore and sharp rifling. We suspect that this is a put-together rifle. This rifle is in about Fine condition as refinished and has plenty of life left in it. Please see our photos and good luck!