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I recently came by a model 52 and am trying to figure out the actual date of manufacture. It’s serial number is 16314 and “Old guns” says 1930. Houze’s study of the 52 has serial number 16036 as made in 1928. It’s an amazing rifle and I am trying to figure out which version it is, ie: speed lock ,etc. It has a Lyman 48T peep sight on it and a heavy barrel which are referred to by Holze as standard on the G5205R. I know there are folks here with a wealth of knowledge that I hope can answer my question or point me in the right direction. Thanks.
Jim Rogers said It’s an amazing rifle and I am trying to figure out which version it is, ie: speed lock ,etc.
If you’ve got Houze’s book, you’re way ahead of the game; his dates most reliable. G5205R has std wt brl, not heavy. 48T pretty scarce; is yours on left or right side of rcvr?. “Speed Lock” is correct terminology.
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Jim Rogers said
I recently came by a model 52 and am trying to figure out the actual date of manufacture. It’s serial number is 16314 and “Old guns” says 1930. Houze’s study of the 52 has serial number 16036 as made in 1928. It’s an amazing rifle and I am trying to figure out which version it is, ie: speed lock ,etc. It has a Lyman 48T peep sight on it and a heavy barrel which are referred to by Holze as standard on the G5205R. I know there are folks here with a wealth of knowledge that I hope can answer my question or point me in the right direction. Thanks.
Late August 1928.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
We all love pictures, you know.
Hint, hint.
BTW, here are a pair of my Winchester 52 rifles equipped with Lyman 48T sights.
BRP
Here is my 1931 round top with the right side factory mounted Lyman 48-T. What separates this rifle from most, is the heavy Nickel Steel bbl. Very scarce, maybe even rare. Has a nice Lyman 5A to top it off. Big Larry
Thanks Bert. The sight is a Lyman and I assumed 48T as that was the option offered by Winchester. If 1928 then no speed lock trigger. 
Despite the date of production, it’s a Slow Lock (one of the last), illustrating that serials sometimes don’t match up with production changes. That’s a “collector term,” not factory, but it’s a logical description considering the factory’s own use of Speed Lock. Also, the 48T was added later, not ordered that way from factory, I don’t believe, as those ordered with the 48T from factory have the round-top rcvr, like Larry’s. Adjustable aperture not Lyman, several diff makers of them, might be Parker-Hale.
The sight on your rifle is a Lyman 48J, which was arguably the best sight available for the Winchester 52 in 1928.
Nice find!
BRP
Blue Ridge Parson said
The sight on your rifle is a Lyman 48J, which was arguably the best sight available for the Winchester 52 in 1928.
I knocked a J out of a 52A I have in order to install a factory 82A! Not because I think the latter is “better” in any way, but because I like USING it better! Also like the graduations in yards, not numbers I can’t remember; they’re pretty close out to 100 yds.
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