Winchester Collector - Forum: Winchester .22 Rim Fire

MFoster on Model 52

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:13:40 +0000

Not the best pics but will have to do for now. I was surprised to find the sight inserts in the trap on the buttstock, however they seem to be stuck currently.

MFoster on Model 52

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:11:32 +0000

MFoster on Model 52

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:09:47 +0000

MFoster on Model 52

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:08:03 +0000

MFoster on Model 52

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:06:19 +0000

MFoster on Model 52

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:44:38 +0000

Attempting to load pics but not sure how well that going currently. Standby

JWA on Looking for Serialnumber on a .22 Thumb trigger

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:40:21 +0000

Hi Goatkeeper,

Keep the rifle as is! Bluing it will de-value it (and not make it shoot any better).

We can narrow the date of manufacture down even further with a bit more information. Whether it has the WP in an oval proof mark in front of the breach on top of the barrel or not.

Based on your roll-marking (with the Feb. 1905 patent date and lack of Ex. Long chambering) your rifle was made between: March 1905 – June 1908 if it does NOT have the proof marking and July 1908 – 1914 if it DOES have the proof marking.

It is what I call a "Variation 2¹" (no proof mark) or "Variation 2²" (with proof mark) in my notes.

Best Regards,

drice0517 on Increase Value for First Year Models..?

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:38:47 +0000

I recently found and bought a 9422 made in I think 1972 , serial number F178XX. After a good cleaning, it was in better condition than it looked at first glance. Does being a first year manufacture make the rifle a little more valuable, all things being equal..?

I have seen other guns advertised as "first year" pieces on several occasions and have wondered if that had much to do with pricing, or should it have. This particular rifle was priced reasonably for a 9422 in our area and by looking at completed online auctions.

Anthony on Model 52

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:54:42 +0000

Thanks for the added clarification Steve. The pictures always help to illustrate the referencing of the problem, and it this case it does so tremendously.

Tony

Jeremy P on Model 52

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 04:54:41 +0000

No worries Tony!

Steve, you may have been the one to tell me about it originally iirc. Thanks for the photos! On the one I was looking at that one day it took me a minute of staring in poor lighting and fumbling around but once you know it's easy....like most things I guess!

seewin on Model 52

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 03:09:37 +0000

Just to somewhat clarify the cracking problem associated with the pre "A" model 52's and it's location, below is a picture. I have included 2 more pictures showing a pre A lug and a redesigned "A" model lug which eliminated the problem. This entailed making machining the locking lug approximately 50% thicker(.080" additional thickness if memory serves me correctly). In order to accommodate this increased lug thickness, it was necessary to reduce the safety lever hub the same amount. This is the only crack I have ever heard of concerning a model 52 receiver. Most that you will see are very small and not near as severe as the one in the picture. The crack always starts and propagates from the interior sharp machined corner of machined bolt lug recess in the receiver, which is a textbook stress riser just waiting for a crack to happen. Hope this helps.

Steve

1st picture shows crack

2nd picture shows the Pre "A" model LH bolt locking lug

3rd picture shows the redesigned "A" model LH bolt locking lug

Chuck on 1948 Model 75 Target

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:17:11 +0000

Jim F in CT said

. . . . . .You can try to experiment with different tensions on the cross screw and, in some cases, it does make a difference but any accuracy gained is usually an accident and not a scientific adjustment. . . . . .

I just went thru this procedure with the barrel band, “tuning” it to my particular ammo . . . .(CMP/Eley standard velocity)
After turning the screw clockwise . . . .1/4 turn at a time . . . . I fired 5 rounds at each quarter turn.
In my rifle, the “tuning” paid off!

When you mess with the band screw it changes the harmonics of the barrel. Many target rifles use tuners on the end of the barrel that does the same thing.

Anthony on Model 52

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:59:16 +0000

Jeremy P said
Tony, the cracking I'm referring to should be irrelevant to the stock, shouldn't it? I'm talking about metal cracking on top of the receiver....am I misunderstanding what you're saying?

Jeremy,

I misunderstood you, as I thought you we're referring to the wood stock that can get a crack in the stock at the wrist area.

Tony

Jeremy P on Model 52

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:15:19 +0000

Tony, the cracking I'm referring to should be irrelevant to the stock, shouldn't it? I'm talking about metal cracking on top of the receiver....am I misunderstanding what you're saying?

Jim F in CT on 1948 Model 75 Target

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:56:49 +0000

. . . . . .You can try to experiment with different tensions on the cross screw and, in some cases, it does make a difference but any accuracy gained is usually an accident and not a scientific adjustment. . . . . .

I just went thru this procedure with the barrel band, “tuning” it to my particular ammo . . . .(CMP/Eley standard velocity)

After turning the screw clockwise . . . .1/4 turn at a time . . . . I fired 5 rounds at each quarter turn.

In my rifle, the “tuning” paid off!