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Among some of my dad’s Winchester collection are some nice 22’s. The one I am looking at now is a nice model 52 with hooded ramp front sight, checkered stock with cheek piece and black fore end piece, sling swivels, rear adjustable peep sight (has deer, circle and lighthouse? on it). SN is 846XXB which appears to be manufactured in 1956 making it a C model. Am I correct? Sporting is stamped on the underneath side between trigger guard and magazine.
I know the 52’s were a very desirable match rifle, this one is just plain good looking!
Scott
There should be no “Sporting” on the trigger guard on a 52 “C” Sporter. From the looks of your serial number you have a “B” Sporter. A very late one at that. They are very nice rifles. RRM
What is the difference between series B and C? I was getting info from Gun Digest, March 1, 2019, “Winchester Model 52, still sweet after 100 years”
In the article the author states “The only series with an accurate number is the Model 52C, the last ones produced. According to Herbert Houze’s excellent book, The Winchester Model 52 — Perfection In Design, there were 1,314 Sporter C models made between 1954 and 1960, when the model was discontinued.”
With the serial number this one seems to fit in 1956, just where the article states. So there are sporter 52 models without the sporting stamp?
I thought maybe my dad had one of the hard to find ones. I wouldn”t have been surprised.
Another model 52 he has seems to be a very early one, SN 181 which puts it at 1920 first year production. It appears to be in excellent condition. It has the ladder rear sight, screw in peep sight in the front hood, military type safety, one barrel band with a 22″ heavy barrel. Both have excellent triggers but I’d give the edge to the sporter rifle. It has the best trigger I’ve ever seen.
Scott
Several major differences between Bs & Cs, but the most important one is the greatly improved C trigger–so if your Sporter is a C, that explains the trigger difference between it & the 1920. Also, the B has a strong spring that has to be compressed as the bolt is closed, making it feel like it’s cocking on BOTH the opening & closing movements. The 1920 cocks on opening, which most shooters dislike (me, especially), not to mention the dog’s hind-leg stock design, that was way behind the times even in 1920. I had a 2nd yr production that I got rid of when I found out how it cocked.
Your 1920 was built in the 6th month of production, but it doesn’t have the original front sight, #93-A, commonly called the “shark fin”; they are almost impossible to find separately.
By the way, excellent as the C trigger was, many competitors weren’t satisfied with it, so there were several aftermarket triggers designed & sold–all bringing very high prices today.
If the s/n ends with a “B” suffix, it is a B model. In my research, the latest B Sporting I have records of is 84648B, so depending on what the last numbers are for yours, it is definitely one of the last of the B’s. The B Sporting rifles carried over well into C target model production, no doubt to use up existing inventories of parts. Your barrel most likely has a “52” barrel date stamped on its underside.
I will not go into a great bit of detail, but there are major differences between the B and C Sporting rifles. The C’s have the improved Micro Motion trigger, receivers are drilled/tapped for scope mounts, all B’s had a low comb stock, while all the C’s will have a Monte Carlo stock. Both rifles, when equipped with sights had a Lyman 48F rear micrometer sight, with a Redfield full length gold bead front sight.
Both are very nice and desirable rifles. If you have further questions, you can contact me at [email protected]. Will be happy to answer any of your questions.
Steve
clarence said
Several major differences between Bs & Cs, but the most important one is the greatly improved C trigger–so if your Sporter is a C, that explains the trigger difference between it & the 1920. Also, the B has a strong spring that has to be compressed as the bolt is closed, making it feel like it’s cocking on BOTH the opening & closing movements. The 1920 cocks on opening, which most shooters dislike (me, especially), not to mention the dog’s hind-leg stock design, that was way behind the times even in 1920. I had a 2nd yr production that I got rid of when I found out how it cocked.Your 1920 was built in the 6th month of production, but it doesn’t have the original front sight, #93-A, commonly called the “shark fin”; they are almost impossible to find separately.
By the way, excellent as the C trigger was, many competitors weren’t satisfied with it, so there were several aftermarket triggers designed & sold–all bringing very high prices today.
Just a couple of points of clarification:
1- The B’s cock on opening as do all 52’s after the introduction of the Speed Lock action at about s/n 20,000 in April of 1930.
2- The s/n 181 was serial numbered mid August of 1920, and cock’s on closing, the front sight should be a 93B, with an 82A rear ladder type sight.
Steve
seewin said
Just a couple of points of clarification:
1- The B’s cock on opening as do all 52’s after the introduction of the Speed Lock action at about s/n 20,000 in April of 1930.
2- The s/n 181 was serial numbered mid August of 1920, and cock’s on closing, the front sight should be a 93B, with an 82A rear ladder type sight.
Steve
Something wrong with my brain tonight–of course the slow-lock cocks on closing–that’s what I hated about it, & the Enfield Jungle Carbine I once had.
But the 1925 catalog I checked to make sure of the front sight no. definitely called it an “A”. Were there two variations of that sight?
clarence said
Something wrong with my brain tonight–of course the slow-lock cocks on closing–that’s what I hated about it, & the Enfield Jungle Carbine I once had.
But the 1925 catalog I checked to make sure of the front sight no. definitely called it an “A”. Were there two variations of that sight?
There was a 93A that was shorter than the 93B, but I have only seen these on the very earliest 52’s, i.e., below s/n 73. That’s not to say that it could not have a 93A, but based on the rifles have I have in that s/n range, they are 93B’s.
Steve
seewin said
If the s/n ends with a “B” suffix, it is a B model. In my research, the latest B Sporting I have records of is 84648B, so depending on what the last numbers are for yours, it is definitely one of the last of the B’s. The B Sporting rifles carried over well into C target model production, no doubt to use up existing inventories of parts. Your barrel most likely has a “52” barrel date stamped on its underside.I will not go into a great bit of detail, but there are major differences between the B and C Sporting rifles. The C’s have the improved Micro Motion trigger, receivers are drilled/tapped for scope mounts, all B’s had a low comb stock, while all the C’s will have a Monte Carlo stock. Both rifles, when equipped with sights had a Lyman 48F rear micrometer sight, with a Redfield full length gold bead front sight.
Both are very nice and desirable rifles. If you have further questions, you can contact me at [email protected]. Will be happy to answer any of your questions.
Steve
Steve, I have sent you an email with pictures to hopefully have you collectors decipher what we have. I appreciate all the expert advice. Thanks! I’m still getting error messages when I try to post pictures.
The early 1920 52 definitely has the push back on closing the action.
The Sporter does not have a drilled/tapped receiver. The front sight is dovetailed with gold bead hooded front sight. The rear sight has a screw down type. It does not appear to have a 52 barrel date under the barrel. The condition is as new, so would not be hard to see correct?
Scott
Pdog73 said The rear sight has a screw down type.
Scott
A receiver sight, you mean?
The Sporter is a “B” model. I have pictures which I will post later today when I’m at my main computer. The rear sight is the correct 48F Lyman. Rifle has the B suffix as well as correct low comb stock, “SPORTING” stamped trigger guard etc. Very nice original example.
Steve
clarence said
A receiver sight, you mean?
My apologies, “The rear sight has a screw down type. ” relied on memory on that one. I am also looking at his 1890 model. 22 WMR.
Scott
Pdog73 said
clarence said
A receiver sight, you mean?
My apologies, “The rear sight has a screw down type. ” relied on memory on that one. I am also looking at his 1890 model. 22 WMR.
Scott
WRF??
Chuck said
WRF??
Yes WRF. Thank you. Typo. I’ll have a separate thread on it later.
For some reason, I have been unable to attach photos of Scotts rifle. I keep getting this message after I drag file to “upload attachment” field and then try to upload. Any ideas?
“Error 108-could not create folder”
Steve
seewin said
For some reason, I have been unable to attach photos of Scotts rifle. I keep getting this message after I drag file to “upload attachment” field and then try to upload. Any ideas?“Error 108-could not create folder”
Steve
I’ve never figured it out, though Bert says it’s simple as pie. No problems on other sites, but I’ve given up trying on this one.
seewin said
For some reason, I have been unable to attach photos of Scotts rifle. I keep getting this message after I drag file to “upload attachment” field and then try to upload. Any ideas?“Error 108-could not create folder”
Steve
Steve,
The WACA website Gurus are working on updates & fixes, which may have been why you were unable to post the pictures. Give it a day or so, and try it again. If you still run into problems, please let me know.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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