Winchester Model 52B 52-B .22 LR 28″ Bolt-Action Target Rifle 1948-1949 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1750

LSB#: 220112WG023

Make: Winchester

Model: 52 B

Serial Number: 72248B

Year of Manufacture: Per Herbert Houze’s “The Winchester Model 52 Perfection in Design”, by serial number this rifle’s recever was made between December 20, 1948 and January 10, 1949.

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle fed by Detachable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S. OF AMERICA / WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL”, “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK”, and “MODEL 52–22 L RIFLE”. The left of the barrel and the left-front of the receiver has an ovalled “WP” proof. The left of the receiver is marked with the serial number “72248B”. The right side of the chamber ring is marked “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK”.

Barrel Length: 28”

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a hooded globe sight mounted to a sight block at the muzzle. The sight accepts interchangeable inserts with a yellow tinted crosshair/aperture insert installed. No other inserts are included. The rear sight is a Wittek-Vaver aperture sight mounted to the left-rear of the reciever, adjustable for windage and elevation. There are sight blocks installed on the barrel just in front of the receiver and a couple inches behind the barrel band.

Stock Configuration and 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 sheet steel buttplate. There is a sling plate and swivel in the belly and a 4″ accessory rail inlaid to the forend which has a sling swivel and a combination hand-stop/swivel. The stock has some scattered light nicks, scuffs, and faint scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/2” 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 scuff wear at the heel. Overall, the stock is in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright, with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are very few marks on the metal, most of the balance is in light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is light and crisp. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork and Accessories: This rifle comes with a single blued steel “sled”-style single round magazine.

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 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 limited use over the last 70 years. The rifle is in Fine-plus condition with 98% of its metal finish, some minor wear in the stock, a bright bore, strong mechanics and a great trigger. 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!