Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
Winchester Model 52B Serial number 66638B question?
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Avatar
Santa Clara, CA
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 843
Member Since:
January 27, 1992
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
August 2, 2024 - 10:03 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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

Avatar
NY
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 7114
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
August 2, 2024 - 10:54 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

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.

Avatar
Santa Clara, CA
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 843
Member Since:
January 27, 1992
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
August 2, 2024 - 11:26 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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

52B-001.JPGImage Enlarger52B-002.JPGImage Enlarger52B-003.JPGImage Enlarger52B-004.JPGImage Enlarger

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
NY
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 7114
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
August 2, 2024 - 11:35 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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?

Avatar
Santa Clara, CA
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 843
Member Since:
January 27, 1992
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
August 3, 2024 - 12:19 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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!”  LaughRDB

Avatar
Texas
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 629
Member Since:
January 20, 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
August 3, 2024 - 3:12 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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.

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 481
Member Since:
March 12, 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
August 3, 2024 - 3:18 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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.

SteveIMG_7855.JPGImage EnlargerDSC_4149.JPGImage EnlargerDSC_4150.JPGImage EnlargerDSC_4151.JPGImage Enlarger

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 136
Member Since:
June 1, 2023
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
August 3, 2024 - 3:51 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Great info, Steve!

I did not know about the different “B” stamps used between pre & post war Winchester 52 rifles.

BRP

Avatar
NY
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 7114
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
August 3, 2024 - 4:31 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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.

SteveIMG_7855.JPGImage EnlargerDSC_4149.JPGImage EnlargerDSC_4150.JPGImage EnlargerDSC_4151.JPGImage Enlarger 

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.

Avatar
Santa Clara, CA
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 843
Member Since:
January 27, 1992
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
August 3, 2024 - 10:05 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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

Avatar
NY
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 7114
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11
August 3, 2024 - 10:14 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

The “SAFE” selector lever is missing, somthing I wasn’t aware of when purchased on line. rogertherelic said  

No target rifle needs a safety; raise the bolt handle–that’s your safety. 

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 4623
Currently Online: deerhunter, Claven2
Guest(s) 187
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 7114
TXGunNut: 5575
Chuck: 4993
steve004: 4662
1873man: 4464
Big Larry: 2447
twobit: 2348
mrcvs: 1946
TR: 1784
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 17
Topics: 13465
Posts: 118854

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1895
Members: 9271
Moderators: 4
Admins: 3
Navigation