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January 27, 1992
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I have “THE WINCHESTER MODEL 52” book by Herbert G. Houze. I find this serial number to be ‘almost covered’ in his serial number coverage. Any idea as to classify it as a “War Time” production or “Post-War” production rifle? Just curious, thanks. RDB
November 1, 2013
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Is the rcvr sand-blasted or polished? Polishing began (again) when production resumed after the war. Your serial falls within the gap of over a hundred numbers between the last number listed for ’42 & the first in ’48.
If Seewin notices your question, I’m sure he’ll provide a definitive answer.
January 27, 1992
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Clarence,
The receiver seems to be polished, but not as brite as the barrel. The “WINCHESTER” logo, on the right side of the receiver, is almost ‘washed out’. That would make it “Postwar”. Thank you. RDB
November 1, 2013
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rogertherelic said
Clarence,The receiver seems to be polished, but not as brite as the barrel. The “WINCHESTER” logo, on the right side of the receiver, is almost ‘washed out’. That would make it “Postwar”. Thank you. RDB
I think so. Any interest in parting with that trigger shoe?
January 27, 1992
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It shoots so well as it is, all I change are the front sight inserts and iris hole size. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” 
RDB
January 20, 2023
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clarence said
rogertherelic said
Clarence,
The receiver seems to be polished, but not as brite as the barrel. The “WINCHESTER” logo, on the right side of the receiver, is almost ‘washed out’. That would make it “Postwar”. Thank you. RDB
I think so. Any interest in parting with that trigger shoe?
Clarence, could that trigger shoe be a Henshaw shoe, the one designed by Tom’s father?
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
March 12, 2008
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rogertherelic said
I have “THE WINCHESTER MODEL 52” book by Herbert G. Houze. I find this serial number to be ‘almost covered’ in his serial number coverage. Any idea as to classify it as a “War Time” production or “Post-War” production rifle? Just curious, thanks. RDB
I would call this an early post war production rifle. The post war rifles did go away from the sandblasted receivers to a lighter sandblast, then polished, but a better indicator is the “B” on the s/n suffix. The pre war rifles had a larger sans serif B that was the same height as the numerals. All the early post war rifles I have documented have a smaller serif type B. This later style matches your rifle. Just out of curiosity, have you checked the barrel date? Attached is a picture of 66563B which is a late pre war production rifle with the larger sans serif suffix stamp. Compare this with yours.
I don’t believe the trigger shoe on this rifle is a Henshaw, more likely a Flaig. Attached is a picture of a typical Henshaw with the extended top front section typical of all the Henshaw 52 shoes I have seen. Yours is most likely is marked as to the manufacturer.
Steve
June 1, 2023
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Great info, Steve!
I did not know about the different “B” stamps used between pre & post war Winchester 52 rifles.
BRP
November 1, 2013
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seewin said
I don’t believe the trigger shoe on this rifle is a Henshaw, more likely a Flaig. Attached is a picture of a typical Henshaw with the extended top front section typical of all the Henshaw 52 shoes I have seen. Yours is most likely is marked as to the manufacturer.
Steve
I have one of these that keeps loosening because I’m afraid of stripping the screw head by over-tightening. Of course I could use Locktite, but that would create a problem if it became necessary to remove the stock. Also have a Flaig’s with Allen screws that seem to be a little more secure. Problem results from 52 trigger being too thin to allow use of larger screws.
January 27, 1992
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I have not looked at the barel date. The trigger shoe uses allen screws to hold it in place. The “SAFE” selector lever is missing, somthing I wasn’t aware of when purchased on line. It may not be the “perfect collector” specimen, but it’s a very accurate shooter. If I get the urge to disassemble the rifle, I will update with the barrel date. Thanks for your replies. RDB
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