btbell said
Twobit,
Not sure if you already have this in your database, but I participated in an auction in 2020 (won a beautiful 52B Sporter, lost on a deluxe boxed 75 Sporter - it's still painful!) where there were 5 boxed Win 61's, among others.
My guess, from the quality of the rest of the collection, is that all are genuine.
https://www.icollector.com/CHUCK-SCALLORN-ESTATE-AUCTION_a36597?p=1&ps=50&so=1&q=box
  

Thansk so much.  I will take a look and see if they have been captured previously.

Michael

TXGunNut said
I did spend 4-hours today at the shooting range.  I shot 100-rounds through that Model 61 you scammed me on.  The best I could get was a 1.5″ group @ 50-yards (using cheap Winchester bulk 22 Mag ammo).  I need to find a better brand of ammo and give it another try at the range. On a positive note, the Weaver K6 Steel tube scope looks good on it, and it dialed in quickly. -Bert
 
Bert-
As you probably know the 22WMR is probably more ammo-sensitive than the 22LR. Best I can tell every 22WMR I own has a different preference. I never shot my 61M so good luck! Glad you're getting some range time!
 
Mike
  

No, I was not aware that the 22 WMR is an ammo sensitive cartridge.  I do have some Federal and some CCI 22 Mag ammo that I can try. I do hope to find an ammo type that will shoot at least a .75" group @50-yds.

Bert

Additionally, the barrel on S/N 118 is marked "PROOF STEEL", indicating it is a post 1931 production piece, and approximately 12-years too late for the rifle in question.

Bert

Bert-

As you probably know the 22WMR is probably more ammo-sensitive than the 22LR. Best I can tell every 22WMR I own has a different preference. I never shot my 61M so good luck! Glad you're getting some range time!

Mike

Mike

Not sure if you already have this in your database, but I participated in an auction in 2020 (won a beautiful 52B Sporter, lost on a deluxe boxed 75 Sporter - it's still painful!) where there were 5 boxed Win 61's, among others.

My guess, from the quality of the rest of the collection, is that all are genuine.

https://www.icollector.com/CHUCK-SCALLORN-ESTATE-AUCTION_a36597?p=1&ps=50&so=1&q=box

Very nice & cool rifle!

Now that it's apart, there is some opportunity to do some clean up.

It has been suggested to use a small brass or copper wire brush or wool (pref. copper/bronze wool vs. steel), which will work OK.  A common alternative in the collector community is to use a Big 45 pad to clean up steel parts, and mineral spirits/wood oils for the stock, both followed by an application of Renaissance Wax for long term protection.

There are many threads on the topic both here and at Rimfirecentral.com, and a few different opinions as to the very best approach, but most work pretty well; just don't get carried away!  Here's a thread to get you started:  https://www.rimfirecentral.com/threads/winchester-model-52.1240615/

If you have any issues with your A5 scope, they can usually also be addressed; just ask!

Bert H. said

Ben said
Behave Bert....  you're starting to "Clarence"... 
  

I am behaving... well sort of. 
I did spend 4-hours today at the shooting range.  I shot 100-rounds through that Model 61 you scammed me on.  The best I could get was a 1.5" group @ 50-yards (using cheap Winchester bulk 22 Mag ammo).  I need to find a better brand of ammo and give it another try at the range. On a positive note, the Weaver K6 Steel tube scope looks good on it, and it dialed in quickly.
On a more positive note, this is the 100-yd 5-shot group I shot today with the Model 54 22 Hornet;

13.0 grains of Lil-Gun, 40-gr Hornady V-Max bullet, W-W Super cases.  The first shot was the flyer, then I settled down and managed a .57" 4-shot group.  I am ready for a Gopher trip.
Bert 
  

Looks terrible. You should give that turd to me.

seewin said
Based on the pictures of the inletting, I believe you have a customized factory stock from a later "Speedlock" model 52. This is based on the fact that the inletting around the trigger is much larger than the original early rifles. The reason for the later difference was because the Speedlock triggers required a stamped steel housing, which in turn, required a larger inletted area for clearance. Your stock could either be a modified/customized target stock, or a "let in" stock blank which was sold by Winchester for shooters that wanted to customize their 52 to meet their personal physical requirements. See below for the inletting on #12 which will be the same on all early pre Speedlock rifles. 
     Also, your barrel is exactly like #12. I have attached pictures for your comparison. Note that neither barrel has "MODEL 52" in the rollstamp, indicating that the early barrels most likely used Winder Musket barrels, which used exactly the same profile.
Steve
  

Steve,

I am glad that you we're able to add this to the post, as I think many of us we're wondering if we'd see any pics of the M-52, #13, being taken down an then being identified as such a nice specimen. It's always a pleasure to read you're experienced opinions.

Michael,

I feel you did a great job of dismantling you're newly acquired rifle. I hop that you don't plan on altering it's existence at all, besides the great recommendations here to soak it and wipe it down. You're historical piece is one of the main reasons many of us follow this forum and add our two cents. If you decide to shoot it, which it was intended to do, report back with range reports. Like the others have said, you can take Steve's, (seewin), advice and knowledgeable information to the Bank.

Thanks for sharing!

Tony

Ben said
Behave Bert....  you're starting to "Clarence"... 

I am behaving... well sort of. 

I did spend 4-hours today at the shooting range.  I shot 100-rounds through that Model 61 you scammed me on.  The best I could get was a 1.5" group @ 50-yards (using cheap Winchester bulk 22 Mag ammo).  I need to find a better brand of ammo and give it another try at the range. On a positive note, the Weaver K6 Steel tube scope looks good on it, and it dialed in quickly.

On a more positive note, this is the 100-yd 5-shot group I shot today with the Model 54 22 Hornet;

13.0 grains of Lil-Gun, 40-gr Hornady V-Max bullet, W-W Super cases.  The first shot was the flyer, then I settled down and managed a .57" 4-shot group.  I am ready for a Gopher trip.

Bert 

86Win said
I have a friend who has a model 52 SN 114. He has offered to furnish pictures. Is this of interest? Don
  

Yes, about as much as a T**d in a punch bowl!  

Seriously, Yes it is off interest

86Win said
I have a friend who has a model 52 SN 114. He has offered to furnish pictures. Is this of interest? Don
  

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say....YES PLEASE