Make: Winchester
Model: 52B Sporting
Serial Number: 76955B. The “B” suffix in the serial number denotes a design/production change by Winchester during the manufacturing process of the Model 52.
Year of Manufacture: 1952-53
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle fed by Detachable Magazine
Barrel Length: 24” Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Redfield brass tipped blade dovetailed to a textured ramped base that is integral to the barrel; the ramp is slotted for a hood that is neither present nor included. The rear of the receiver is equipped with a Lyman 48F fully adjustable peep aperture sight, which is marked with their “leaping deer” logo but no “Lyman” name.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece checkered walnut with an ebony capped forend, a capped pistol grip, a straight comb with cheekpiece, sling swivel studs at the front and rear, and a checkered steel buttplate. The stock has some nicks, scuffs, and compressions scattered throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate, which shows some scattered light erosion and discoloration. Overall, the stock is in about Very Good Plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is a small amount of light erosion near the muzzle. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates a 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 92% of its metal finish. Most of the balance is in scattered spots of minor surface oxidation. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are some sparsely scattered little nicks and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. The action shows 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 to Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with one original Vintage Winchester blued 5-round magazine marked “MADE IN U.S.A. / WINCHESTER / TRADEMARK” on the bottom floorplate. The “3 rib” design on the body means the mag was produced from ca. 1954-1963.
Our Assessment: The Model 52 bolt-action .22 target rifle was introduced by Winchester in 1920, and 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 “Sporting” version was introduced in 1934, and featured a lightweight 24” barrel, as well as a fancy checkered walnut stock with an ebony capped forend and a cheekpiece on the comb. The Model 52 had a “pretty good run” as they say, with about 125,000 made from 1920-1980. The Model 52 underwent several changes over its production run, and although the barrel markings remained the same, letter suffixes were added to the serial number to designate significant design changes. “B” Model 52s were made from about 1937-1953, with the last ones being the “Sporting” rifles, such as this example.
This Pre-64 Winchester Model 52B “Sporting” Rifle was made in 1952-53 and is in Very Good to Fine Condition. It’s chambered in .22 LR, and features a 24” barrel, 92% of its original, lustrous blued finish, a gorgeous one-piece fancy checkered walnut stock with an ebony capped forend and a cheekpiece on the comb, strong mechanics, a great trigger, and a bright bore with sharp rifling. This is a beautiful Pre-64 Winchester Model 52B “Sporting” Rifle, and a great relic from a bygone era, the “mom and apple pie” 1950s.
RIFLE