The consignor will be donating 100% of their proceeds to the Park County Animal Shelter in Wyoming.
Make: Winchester
Model: 52C Target Rifle
Serial Number: 78797C
Year of Manufacture: 1953
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Bolt Action with Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 28"
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a Lyman 77H globe-style sight with beaded post insert mounted to a sight block dovetailed to the front of the barrel. There are two more sight blocks installed on the rear portion of the barrel. The left of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Lyman 524 aperture sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is one-piece smooth walnut with beavertail forend, pistol grip, straight comb and checkered steel buttplate. There is a sling swivel installed in the belly. There is a 4? 6-position accessory rail inlet to the forend, a sling swivel mounted to the rail, and another sling swivel inlet to the belly. The stock has a few scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are a few marks that have been finished-over. There is a thin crack in the left of the grip behind the trigger guard. There is some finish loss around the front of the magazine well. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has wear around the edges with well defined checkering. Overall, the stock is in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original, bolt is serial-matching.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright, the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent faint erosion and a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The balance is mostly wear on the bottom metal around the magazine well and handling wear on the bolt knob. The worn areas on the bottom metal are going to a light patina. The action shows operational wear. Otherwise, there are only a few minor marks. 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 1953. 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 comes equipped with a nice set of vintage Lyman target sights. It should make a nice benchrest rifle for the lucky winner. Good luck and happy bidding!
