Make: Winchester
Model: 52B Target
Serial Number: 74002B. 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
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle fed by Detachable Magazine
Barrel Length: 28” Round, Heavy Barrel
Sights/Optics: The sights are a Redfield Olympic set. The front is a globe sight with an inset aperture, and the rear sight is a fully adjustable peep sight mounted on the left side of the receiver.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is one-piece smooth walnut with a beavertail forend with an inset accessory rail that has a swivel installed, another sling swivel installed in the belly of the buttstock, a pistol grip, fluted straight comb, and a checkered steel buttplate. The stock has light nicks and draglines scattered throughout. There are some more notable marks on the bottom of the forearm at the front, ahead of the accessory rail. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate, which has sharp checkering and light wear along the edges. Overall, the stock is in Very Good to Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates a 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 94% of its metal finish. There is light thinning on the bolt knob. The top of the barrel is dotted with spots of minor surface oxidation and intermittent minor nicks. The receiver's edges have light thinning. There is some light thinning and oxidation on the lower metal. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This rifle includes one original vintage Winchester blued single shot “sled magazine” stamped on the bottom floorplate with its maker, "MADE IN U.S.A. / WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK". The lack of a patent date denotes manufacture from ca. 1954-58.
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 Model 52 had a “pretty good run” as they say, with about 125,000 made from 1920-1980 in both “Sporting” and “Target” variations. 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. This Model 52B “Target” rifle was made in 1952 and is in Fine condition. It’s chambered in .22 LR, and features a 28” heavy barrel, 94% of its crisp, original blued finish, an elegant one-piece smooth walnut stock, a set of Redfield Olympic sights, strong mechanics, a great trigger, and a bright bore with sharp rifling. This beauty will make a wonderful benchrest rifle for the lucky winner, or would also be a fine addition to a Winchester collection.
RIFLE