Opinions on this 52c Sporter|Winchester .22 Rim Fire|Forum|Winchester Collector

Kevin’s has advertised that rifle since 6/22. The proofmarks scare me. It is almost like someone is trying to hide what was there originally. Normally, an honest double stamp of one proofmark doesn’t scare me as long as it is done with the same stamp. The barrel proof on this one is a mess, and unfortunately, the pictures are not clear enough to determine anything. The receiver proof is not much better. The proofmarks on the C models were done at different times during the manufacturing process. The receiver proof was stamped before polishing/heat treatment while still soft enough to take an impression. The barrel proof was stamped at the time of proof firing as was typical on other Winchesters. I also wonder what is under the front sight hood? This rifle could have been sold as a “sightless” version, in which case there would simply be a sight blank in the dovetail. If the rifle has the Redfield 255 full length gold bead front sight, it would indicate that the rifle was most likely sold with sights and the rear Lyman 48F has been removed.

Steve

Blue Ridge Parson said
The proof marks were also the first thing I noticed.  

Also, for that kind of money, I would hold out for the earliest 52-C Sporting rifle that had a steel “widow’s peak” buttplate, and the forged sight ramp.  

And while I know the majority of 52-C Sporting rifles came without sights, as one inclined to want to use them, I would also prefer it had the sights.

BRP

  

I can’t see the sight ramp well enough to determine whether the ramp is integrally forged or brazed on.  However, I can see the buttplate is made of Nylon® and not steel.  Because the serial is in the high ninety-three thousands, I’d have to ask Steve when WRA started using the plastic buttplate and ran out of integrally forged ramp barrels.  If that serial indicates 1956, it sounds really early for such end-of-the-bolt part substitutions.  I realize the company didn’t pull receivers out of the bin in serial order and this was a really slow seller by 1956. 

Finally, I can’t see the guard screws well enough to be sure, but the rearmost screw slot looks buggered and thus blued where it shouldn’t be blue.  I’m not the bird to chirp about restored rifles but six large would be awfully stiff for a reblued gun.  Still, if a plain jane and groove-less Model 63 is worth over three thousand……

clarence said

Zebulon said Still, if a plain jane and groove-less Model 63 is worth over three thousand……

  

  

And to think, I just sold a 99%er to Tom for $800. Oh well. Gots to take care of my friends.   Big Larry

seewin said
The C Sporters do no have “SPORTING” stamped on the t/g. There was not enough room with the addition of the 2 trigger adjustment screws used on the C model.

Steve

  

Thank you, pic of that area not clear but it would have been crowded.

Mike

Big Larry said

clarence said

Zebulon said Still, if a plain jane and groove-less Model 63 is worth over three thousand……

  

  

And to think, I just sold a 99%er to Tom for $800. Oh well. Gots to take care of my friends.   Big Larry

  

A friend in need is a friend indeed. I’m in need of a 99% Model 65 deluxe 218 Bee with bolt peep. For cheap. Oh, won’t you be my friend? 

Bill, there is not a bright line date or s/n. As best I can tell, the the plastic (acetate butyrate) buttplate began appearing regularly in the early 91XXX range. The brazed ramps were a bit later in the latter 97XXX range. I hate to even mention these ranges because someone will pop up with a Sporter out of the particular range mentioned. I know they were gradually introduced with these changes depending on which part the assembler grabbed for the particular rifle. Where you have to be careful is when you see an example way out this range. I see examples with plastic buttplates and brazed ramps in the early production s/n ranges and always assume they are either fakes or rifles that have been modified over time. Keep in mind there were both Sporter stocks and barrels sold to Numrich Arms just prior to  USRAC purchasing Winchester. Also, they were sold through the Winchester parts department from day one.

Steve

I never heard of Winchester not selling S/G floorplates. I know they sold SPORTING triggerguards.

Steve