Winchester Model 52B .22 LR Bolt Action Target Rifle Unertl Scope, 1948 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2525

LSB#: 230914JB015

Make: Winchester

Model: 52

Serial Number: 71270B

Year of Manufacture: Per Herbert Houze’s “The Winchester Model 52 Perfection in Design”, by serial number this rifle’s receiver was made in October, 1948.

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 15x scope with crosshair reticle. The scope has some scattered light wear and infrequent minor oxidation on the body. The glass is fairly clear. 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 Morgan adjustable black rubber crescent buttpad on an adjustable buttplate. There is a sling swivel mounted to the front of the accessory rail and a combination hand-stop/swivel mounted at the rear. The stock has some scattered light nicks, scuffs, and scratches with a few more notable marks in the grip and on the left-rear of the buttstock. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 3/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad,11 3/4″ to the back of the wood. The pad shows scattered light wear, but is still supple. Overall, the stock is in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original, the bolt is serial-matched to the receiver.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. 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 96% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are a few scattered light nicks and scratches, most notable on the trigger guard. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-Fine 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 75 years. The rifle is in Very Good-Fine condition with 96% of its metal finish, some light wear in the stock, a bright bore, strong mechanics and a great trigger. It has also been equipped with a vintage 15x 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