Winchester Collector - Forum: Winchester .22 Rim Fire

Ben on Model 52

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:30:56 +0000

Bert H. said

Ben said
I love having smart friends.... cheers!

You actually have "friends" ??

I actually do Bert.... would you like me to teach you how to make some of your own?

Bert H. on Model 52

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 23:30:13 +0000

Ben said
I love having smart friends.... cheers!

You actually have "friends" ??

Bert H. on Bolts added to grip area to prevent cracking. Is it helpful?

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 23:25:57 +0000

Marvin Pipes said

Bert H. said

Thanks for your prompt response, Bert. Will likely reduce is value as a collector?

Yes it does. In most cases, it takes it completely out of the "collector" market.

Bert

Marvin Pipes on Bolts added to grip area to prevent cracking. Is it helpful?

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:45:25 +0000

Bert H. said

Marvin Pipes said
I’m considering bidding on an early 1910 model 1890 that appears in sound condition for its age. What’s curious are the two bolts through grip or “handle” area, despite no apparent damage having occurred to the butt-stock. Was that a common precautionary action in the old days? I have seen that area of the rifle crack if the rifle is in an accident. Thanks.

No, that was not a common or precautionary action. It was a "Bubba" fix for a longitudinal cracked wrist.
Bert

Thanks for your prompt response, Bert. Will likely reduce is value as a collector?

Jeremy P on Model 52

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:25:51 +0000

MFoster said
thanks to the individual that suggested using a hot glue stick.

You're welcome, that's a handy little trick for all kinds of stuff! Glad you got it apart finally. I'd take Bert's advice and address all the active corrosion before that red rust continues to eat your gun. Seek counsel of someone in person who can demonstrate the right techniques though if you're nervous about that part too! We all might do it a little different but the end results are usually similar...preservation!

Ben on Model 52

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:22:28 +0000

You can "bank" Steve's information. His knowledge is unsurpassed when it comes to the Winchester 52.... his personal collection is more complete and extensive regarding related items & just cool stuff than any other firearm collection I've ever encountered to date. Now, if Steve would just finish his "opus" on the Model 52, my gun reference library will be complete.... at least until JWA gets the remainder of his books finished... 🙂 I love having smart friends.... cheers!

Bert H. on Bolts added to grip area to prevent cracking. Is it helpful?

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:11:07 +0000

Marvin Pipes said
I’m considering bidding on an early 1910 model 1890 that appears in sound condition for its age. What’s curious are the two bolts through grip or “handle” area, despite no apparent damage having occurred to the butt-stock. Was that a common precautionary action in the old days? I have seen that area of the rifle crack if the rifle is in an accident. Thanks.

No, that was not a common or precautionary action. It was a "Bubba" fix for a longitudinal cracked wrist.

Bert

Marvin Pipes on Bolts added to grip area to prevent cracking. Is it helpful?

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 19:50:03 +0000

I’m considering bidding on an early 1910 model 1890 that appears in sound condition for its age. What’s curious are the two bolts through grip or “handle” area, despite no apparent damage having occurred to the butt-stock. Was that a common precautionary action in the old days? I have seen that area of the rifle crack if the rifle is in an accident. Thanks.

seewin on Model 52

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:34:40 +0000

Based on the pictures of the inletting, I believe you have a customized factory stock from a later "Speedlock" model 52. This is based on the fact that the inletting around the trigger is much larger than the original early rifles. The reason for the later difference was because the Speedlock triggers required a stamped steel housing, which in turn, required a larger inletted area for clearance. Your stock could either be a modified/customized target stock, or a "let in" stock blank which was sold by Winchester for shooters that wanted to customize their 52 to meet their personal physical requirements. See below for the inletting on #12 which will be the same on all early pre Speedlock rifles.

Also, your barrel is exactly like #12. I have attached pictures for your comparison. Note that neither barrel has "MODEL 52" in the rollstamp, indicating that the early barrels most likely used Winder Musket barrels, which used exactly the same profile.

Steve

Bert H. on Model 52

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:46:56 +0000

Great job getting it disassembled! I highly recommend placing all of the loose steel pieces and parts that you removed/disassembled into a container (plastic tub) of Kroil and let them soak over night. Use a small copper or brass wire brush and/or wool to gently scrub all of the grime and corrosion off of each part, then finish cleaning them in a tub of acetone before reassembling.

Bert

MFoster on Model 52

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 16:35:51 +0000

MFoster on Model 52

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 16:25:08 +0000

MFoster on Model 52

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 16:18:48 +0000

Well I had since been able to remove the stock pictures to follow

MFoster on Model 52

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 16:06:30 +0000

MFoster on Model 52

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 16:05:06 +0000