Winchester Model 52D 52-D Target .22 LR Single Shot Bolt Rifle, 1965 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,375
WOA#: WY240224CC011
Make: Winchester
Model: 52 Type D Target
Serial Number: 119401 D
Year of Manufacture: 1965
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Shot, Bolt Action, Rimfire Target Rifle
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “-WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK- / -MADE IN U.S.A.-“, “-MODEL 52-22 L. RIFLE- / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-” and with an ovalled “WP” proof. The proof is also marked on the left of the chamber ring next to the serial number “119401D”. The right of the chamber is marked “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK”. The bottom of the bolt has “119401” hand-scribed.
Barrel Length: 28″, Tapers from approximately 1.06″ at the receiver to approximately 0.875″ at the muzzle. This is a Heavy Target barrel for the 52D.
Sights / Optics: The top of the barrel is installed with three male dovetail bases. There left rear of the receiver is drilled and tapped and mounted with a base.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece smooth walnut with beavertail forend, semi-pistol grip, straight comb, and serrated black rubber Winchester buttpad. The forend has an inlet 13 1/2″ factory accessory rail with a handstop/sling mount installed. There are some scattered light nicks, compressions, dings, scuffs, and a couple of faint hairline scratches but they all remain faint and few. There are no chips or cracks. The accessory rail has light wear from installing and removing accessories. The LOP measures 13.75” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad, 13 1/8″ to the back of the wood. The pad has no wear. The stock is in Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish.There is a small mark on top of the barrel. There is faint operational wear as well as handling wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Excellent Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger breaks crisply with no over-travel. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with its factory box and owner’s manual.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 52 was a bolt-action .22-caliber target rifle introduced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1920. For many years, it was the premier small-bore match rifle in the United States, if not the world. Known as the “King of the .22’s,” the Model 52 has been called by Winchester historian Herbert Houze “a perfection in design”. The Model 52 was finally discontinued in the 1980s because it was costly to manufacture, and its popularity had lost way to expensive European rifles. The Model 52 underwent several changes over its life, and although different model names were not advertised, and the barrel markings remained the same, letter suffixes were added to the serial number to designate significant design changes. This is a model 52D which appears to have seen little to no use and has the heavy target profile barrel. The rifle is in Excellent condition with 99% of its metal finish, some light wear in the stock, a pristine bore, strong mechanics and a crisp trigger. This rifle will make a nice benchrest rifle for the lucky winner or addition to a Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
