Winchester Model 52C 52-C 28″ .22 LR Bolt Action Target Rifle, 1961 C&R

SOLD FOR: $980

WOA#: WY240407MC004

Make: Winchester

Model: 52C Target Rifle

Serial Number: 103178C

Year of Manufacture: 1961

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Bolt Action with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left of the chamber ring is marked with a circled “WP” proof and the serial number. The right side of the receiver’s chamber ring is marked “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK”. The left-rear of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK / MADE IN U.S.A.”, “-MODEL -52-22 L. RIFLE- / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-” and with another circled “WP” proof. The bottom of the bolt is hand-scribed with the serial number.

Barrel Length: 28”

Sights/Optics: There are no sights installed or included. The barrel has three sight blocks installed, one at the front, one at the rear, and the third a little rear of center. The left-rear of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Redfield receiver sight mount installed.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is one-piece smooth walnut with beavertail forend, pistol grip, straight comb and serrated steel buttplate. There is a sling swivel installed in the belly. There is an escutcheon on the bottom-front of the forend for the mounting screw of a barrel band that is not present. There is a 4″ 6-position accessory rail inlet to the forend. The stocks have several scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with some more notable dings at the toe. There is a crack in the right of the stock below the receiver that goes into the bolt-handle scallop, there is a vertical brass pin installed as a repair for this crack. The LOP measures 13 3/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear with well defined serrations. The fit of the plate to the wood indicates it is likely a replacement. Overall, the stock is in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright, the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 or 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The barrel has a cluster of nicks on the bottom toward the muzzle-end, a band of wear on the top over the front of the forend where a barrel band was previously installed, and a few other scattered light marks. The trigger guard has a spot of wear on the bottom, some scattered light marks, and a few spots of minor oxidation. The action shows operational wear and the bolt handle is mostly worn to white. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 includes a single 5-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 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 52C target model from 1961. The rifle is in Very Good condition, showing signs of use but retaining a strong bore and good mechanics. It has provision for mounting just about whatever type of target sights you’d like and should make a nice benchrest rifle for the lucky winner. Good luck and happy bidding!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud