Make: Winchester

Model: 52 Standard Target

Serial Number: 59373 B

Year of Manufacture: 1947

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Bolt Action, Rimfire Target Rifle, Detachable Magazine Fed. Comes with a single shot conversion 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-”, “MODEL 52-22 L.RIFLE-”. The left side of the barrel and receiver are each marked with Winchester WP proofs. The left side of the receiver is marked “59373 B”. The right side of the receiver is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / -NEW HAVEN, CONN. - PATENTED-” and “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK”. The top of the barrel band is marked “U.S.A. / PATENTED”.

Barrel Length: 28”

Sights/Optics: The top of the barrel is installed with three sight blocks. The front block is fitted with a Redfield Olympic Model globe sight. The top of the receiver is mounted with a Wittek-Vaver Rear Dial Sight. The left side of the receiver has a pair of drilled, tapped, and filled holes.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is a one-piece smooth walnut with beavertail forend, pistol grip, straight comb, banded barrel, and a checkered sheet steel buttplate. The forend has an inlet 4” factory accessory rail with sling rings and a hand stop installed. There are scattered handling marks. The LOP measures 13 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the plate. The plate has light thinning and minor nicks along the edge. Overall, the stock is in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. There is standard operational wear and light handling wear. There is thinning on the leading edge. There is light intermittent oxidation. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition.

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

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This rifle comes with a single shot conversion aluminum magazine.

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 52 is 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 too costly to manufacture, and its popularity had waned in the face of expensive European rifles. The Model 52 underwent several changes throughout 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 light use. The rifle is in Fine condition with 95% of its metal finish, some light wear in the stock, a very nice bore, strong mechanics and a fine trigger. This rifle will make a nice benchrest rifle for the lucky winner or addition to a Winchester collection.