New old spoon............

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Just got a new addition to the armory. This is a Winchester Model 52 .22lr pre A model made in 1928. All original, just like it came from the factory! Well, except for the 10 rd. magazine. But, I have a couple of original 5 rd mags waiting to take its place.

onlycafe · 02-09-2011, 08:36 PM

that is some purty wood.
they cared back then.

chibone_914 · 02-10-2011, 07:33 AM

Dang Fred! That is a really nice find! I really like the rear tangent sight on it.

tabs · 02-10-2011, 10:59 AM

The stock has been sanded as they had a varnish finish. The rear sight is still extant, a lot of them have them removed. The finish is original and the Barrel is the standard weight barrel for the 52 Target version. Worth right around 1000 to 1200..very clean spoon to add to the stable, and are nice to shoot to boot.

Get a period Lyman, Unertle or Fecker TGT scope and go bang away.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Tabs, you might be correct on the stock finish. However, I have seen several of these rifles with an oil finish that the owners claimed to have come from the factory. This particular piece was made in 1928 and is a "Pre A" model. I found out that it has been sitting in a collection in Pennsylvania for 30 or 40 years but was seldom used. When the previous owner passed away, his family began selling off the collection. I fully intend to make up for lost time by taking this baby to the range as often as possible. And to make it all the sweeter, I bought it for much less than your estimate of $1000 to $1200!

tabs · 02-10-2011, 01:00 PM

Stock has been sanded..it is a nicer piece of wood than generally seen, and I thought it might even be a replacement stock. That is not the factory stock finish.

I have 2 of them for less than the lower price posted and one came with a Browning Hardcase, Lyman TGT scope and Redfield Int match Sights.. The other was a 1940 Hvy Barrel mdl.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

"Semi-beavertail" stock (1930-48): Forearm widened to a flat-bottomed, trapezoidal profile; finger grooves omitted; drop reduced again. Oil finish replaced varnish. With slight modifications was renamed the Standard Target Stock in 1934. Tabs, I concur, the stock on a 1928 rifle should have been varnished. The oil finished stocks did not arrive until 1930 or so. Knew that I had seen Model 52s with an oil finish, just did not know their manufacture date!

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Very, very nice!!

KarlCarrera · 02-10-2011, 06:40 PM

That is a very nice looking .22. No problem holding it one of the safes' . ..:>), just for safe keepng

Karl
88 Targa

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

I finally had a chance to really look over the Win Model 52. Other than a little blueing turning brown in a few places and worn in one spot, it looks quite good for an 83 year old piece. Whoever refinished the stock did an incredible job on it. No unnecessary sanding or wood removal and a nice even oil finish. The insert in the front sight is not the one I would prefer, but the inserts are still being made so that is not an issue. The trigger mechanism is feels a little dirty/gritty so it is scheduled for a good cleaning and oiling. I also just bought two practially new 5 rd. mags. As soon as they arrive, the 10 rd mag will be replaced. Can't wait to get to the range!

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Took the M52 to the range this afternoon. after spending some time getting the sights dialed in, I settled in to see what it would do at 50 yds. Using the (very nice) iron sights, I was able to get some 3 shot groups that a dime would cover. The best that I could do with a 5 shot group was slightly over 1". Each group would be developing nicely and then a flyer or two would open things up. Can't blame the gun as much as my eyesight! The last thing, I moved out to the 100 yard berm and picked off some skeet targets that were set up out there. Not too shabby for an 83 year old rifle!