Winchester Model 52 Deluxe .22 LR Bolt Action 1933 Target Rifle w. Lyman & R.A. Litschert Scope – C&R

Make: Winchester
Model: Model 52 (not A, B, C or D…)
Serial Number: 25576
Year of Manufacture: 1933
Caliber: .22 LR
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle , Removable Magazine
Markings: The barrel is marked “Made In U.S.A. Winchester Repeating Arms Co New Haven Conn / Patented Nov. 11. 18. 25. Dec. 9. 1919. Feb 17. Mar. 30. April 27 1920”. The left side of the barrel is marked “Winchester / Proof Steel / Model 52 / Winchester / Trade Mark / 22 Long R.”. The left side of the barrel and the frame are stamped with the Winchester proof. The left side of the frame is marked “25576”. The right side of the receiver is marked “Pat. Pending”. The base of the magazine is marked “Made in U.S.A. / Winchester / Trade Mark / Pat. Nov. 25. 1919”.
Barrel Length: About 28″
Sights / Optics: The gun is mounted with a Lyman marked globe front sight, in a dovetail on a base. There is no insert in the front sight. The rear sight is a receiver mounted peep sight, missing everything but the base. This was likely a Lyman sight as well. The sight is marked “D32”. This rifle is also mounted with a Lyman 438-Field scope and a 10x R. A. Litschert front lens. The front lens is marked “R.A. Litschert / 2122 10X”. The body of the scope is marked “The Lyman Gun Sight Corp. / Made in U.S.A. Middlefield. Conn. / 438-Field”. The external body of the scope shows only thinning and mild age discoloration with very scattered surface frosting, especially at the front lens. There is a metal cap on the front lens. The crosshairs are fine and the lenses are clear, if just a bit dusty.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered Target style, not sporter stocks. The grain is beautiful and there is a cheek piece on the left side. The checkering is hand cut, and may have been done at the factory (we don’t know). Our understanding is that the sporter stocks were checkered, but this is a fancy grade piece of wood with checkering in the target configuration. The checkering has worn but is still very pronounced. The wood has discolored with age, showing only a few marks and dings. There are no splits or cracks in the wood and the wood shows much honest age. There is an empty hole, apparently for a sling swivel stud in the forearm. I can all but guarantee that this is the original piece of wood, please help us determine what we have here. The LOP measures 13″ to the back of the thin rubber plate. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Factory Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is deep. There is no pitting or erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows thinning primarily on the trigger guard & floor plate. The barrel shows only scattered marking and VERY LITTLE WEAR. The frame and trigger guard have discolored where the finish has thinned, leaving a pleasing medium patina. The barrel band has a ding or two and the bolt handle has thinned from use. This is just a very honest and cared for rifle. The Screw heads are a bit worn, but almost sharp. The markings are crisp. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle.
Box  Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with the scope, bases and rings and one magazine.
Our Assessment: “The Winchester Model 52 is 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 “perfection in design.” However, by the 1970s the World War I-era design was showing its age and had given way in top-level competition to newer match rifles from Walther and Anschütz; and the costly-to-produce Model 52, which had been a loss-leader prestige product for some time, was finally discontinued when US Repeating Arms took over Winchester in 1980”. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, and though no longer made, many still consider the Model 52 the best .22 target rifle ever made. We do…
This gun is special, in a configuration we have not seen and is apparently all original. If not original, the work done to the stock was of the period and professionally accomplished. Not only is the rifle special, but the scope is very desirable with a Litschert front lens. You would be hard pressed to find a better combination of gun, scope, date and condition! Good luck Model 52 collectors!

Sold For: $1,550.00

Winchester Model 52 Deluxe .22 LR Bolt Action 1933 Target Rifle w. Lyman & R.A. Litschert Scope - C&R
Winchester Model 52 Deluxe .22 LR Bolt Action 1933 Target Rifle w. Lyman & R.A. Litschert Scope – C&R