Winchester Model 52B .22 LR Bolt Action Target Rifle Unertl Scope, 1941 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,441.00
LSB#: WY240801RM010
Make: Winchester
Model: 52
Serial Number: 62753B
Year of Manufacture: 1941
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle fed by Detachable Magazine
Barrel Length: 28”
Sights / Optics: There is a sight block at the muzzle and the left-rear of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for mounting open sights. No open sights are installed or included. There are two sight blocks mounted to the barrel at the receiver and behind the barrel band with J. Unertl rings holding a Unertl 20x scope with crosshair reticle. The scope has some light wear on the body. The glass is fairly clear, but could use a good cleaning. Threaded lense caps are included.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece walnut with a pistol grip, straight comb, semi-beavertail forend with inlet accessory rail and a checkered steel buttplate. There is a sling swivel mounted in the belly. The stock has some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a small hole in the bottom face of the grip. There is a thin, repaired crack running through the bolt channel then down and forward to the magazine release. The left of the buttstock is notably more blonde than the rest of the stock, possibly from use-wear. There are no chips. There is finish wear on the accessory rail. The LOP measures 13 3/8” from the front of the trigger’s installed wide, serrated shoe to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear around the edges with well defined checkering. Overall, the stock is in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original, the bolt is serial-matched to the receiver.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion and a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 94% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are a few scattered minor nicks and scratches, most notable on the trigger guard. The guard also has some light surface oxidation. There is stubborn residue around the sight blocks. The action shows operational wear and there is some oxidation on the bolt knob. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a single 5-round magazine and the installed scope.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 52 was 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 costly to manufacture, and its popularity had lost its way to expensive European rifles. The Model 52 underwent several changes over 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 appears to have seen responsible use over the last 83 years. The rifle is in Very Good-plus condition with 94% of its metal finish, light wear in the stock, a good bore, strong mechanics and a great trigger. It has also been equipped with a vintage 20x Unertl scope while also having provision for mounting open sights (no open sights are included). This rifle will make a nice benchrest rifle for the lucky winner or addition to a Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck in your bidding!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
