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I came across this rifle and want to know what model and possible years manufactured. Some of the info is worn off of the barrel. I’ve searched online but haven’t seen any pics that match it exactly. I called Winchester and gave them the S/N 19245 and was told there were numerous possibilities with that number and that none of the numbers on the rifle would identify what it was. They suggested that I ask on here and see if anyone could identify it from pictures. It had a long Lyman scope on it with the adjustable finger dials on the rear mount. I just removed it and I’m about to give the rifle a good cleaning but wanted to see what I could find out asap.
Thanks for any info!
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Mfg. early Jan, 1930. It’s the Model 52 variant the factory called the Speed Lock, to distinguish it from the original 52. Either a radically modified stock, or a replacement; the latter I think, as the PG is so large. Not a bad looking stock, except for the pad–how could they do it! Looks like brl. has been turned down & shortened, & certainly reblued. That’s a rare Lyman 48T rcvr. sight, but if the slide is missing, not worth much.
Thanks!
What were the differences in the Speed Lock variant and the original? What was original length of barrel? Looks like 28″ from what I can find. This is 22 3/4″. Yeah, the slide is missing on the sight.
Speed Lock has a shorter firing-pin fall, so quicker lock-time, but the most important diff was that it cocked on opening (as all bolt guns should), whereas the original (Slow Lock) cocked on closing–very disconcerting if you’re not familiar with it, though you can get used to it with practice. Speed Locks also have an adjustable trigger, which the original design did not. All 52s had 28″ brls, in one of 3 different weights.
The mag, if original, will have a 1919 pat. date.
Good to know. Are there any issues with certain ammo not working well with this model as far as the bolt and magazine feeding and chambering? What is the best ammo to run in these?
None at all. Shoot what you find at the best price, but most RFs perform best with standard velocity, my preference being Aguila, because its good stuff, & that company does not sell to the US gov’t.
Chacy, one more thing to know is that this model has an inherent flaw: a crack may form in the sharp corner of the locking abutment of the rcvr. if the safety is applied too often, because of the excessive pressure it exerts on that thin flange; best not to use it at all. This problem was corrected in the next model by increasing the thickness of the steel at that point. Merely raising the bolt handle (without opening it) serves the purpose of a safety.
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