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Hello all, new to this group, thank for having me. I thought I’d share a recent find, and hopefully gain some insight. This rifle, serial number 2815, appears to be one of the special order training rifles mentioned on page 74 of “The Winchester Model 52” by Houze.
Apparently these were available by special order only and offered to the private Military Schools as during 1923 & 1924. Cody confirms that the serial number was applied on March 30, 1921, but they have no configuration data. Proofhouse lists the number as 1925. As far as I’m concerned, either source works well into the time-frame mentioned in the Houze book.
Other than the brief mention in Houze’s book, and an obscure (and grainy) photo of some cadets holding what could be one of these, my research turned up nothing. It appears to be a complete enigma with none having been traded, mentioned or photographed recently enough to show up online.
Would love to hear your thoughts… here’s a link to some Hi-Def photos.
Thanks!
Alex
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https://camarillotraders.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/photos/win522815.jpg try this link for bigger photos.. you may have to click on it to make them full size.
Thanks, Alex
alex_camarillotraders said
https://camarillotraders.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/photos/win522815.jpg try this link for bigger photos.. you may have to click on it to make them full size.Thanks, Alex
No, all I see is the same narrow vertical band, & it won’t enlarge.
Try to copy and paste the link into a browser. When it comes up, it will look small but if you click on the photo, it should enlarge.
https://camarillotraders.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/photos/win522815.jpg
Even in the small photos I can see how it differs from the one shown in Houze–the rcvr sight replacing the factory 82A & the crescent plate. The latter is the most puzzling diff, as these are bad choices even on sporting rifles, but esp on a musket–no military or target rifle was ever made with them, because they’re detrimental to fine shooting. But obviously, the gun fell into the hands of someone who put his own idea of “looks” above function. But even with this mod, it remains a very rare piece!
Before WW II there were hundreds of military academies all over the country (I wanted to attend the Citadel, but my parents thought I was crazy), so this should have been a lucrative market for Win. I wonder why the plan fizzled? Too expensive, for academies that had been provided surplus US military arms?
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