Winchester Expert--Model 52 Sporter
I'm looking for some information on a Model 52 Sporter. I was asked by a friend to look at some guns that are being sold from an estate. This gun is thought to have been special ordered with factory scope mounts and scope. Is this possible? It is a different mount than any that I have ever encountered. I did take a few pictures and would be glad to send them if someone can help. Is there a way to find out the history on this gun and verify the supposed information? All help would be appreciated.
Also, there was a model 12 20ga with factory milled vent rib in 85-90% condition. Any idea on the value of it, high end,low end?
Thanks!
Casey
Also, there was a model 12 20ga with factory milled vent rib in 85-90% condition. Any idea on the value of it, high end,low end?
Thanks!
Casey
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Perhaps I should wait for the Winchester experts to get in on this, but I happen to have a 1957 Winchester catalog at hand so I looked at it to see what it might say about the Sporter. The rilfe could be had with no sights, or with a Redfield gold bead front and a Lyman 48-F rear sight. Under "Equipment," the catalog says "Rifle not regularly furnished with telescope bases." That would imply to me that it could "irregularly" be furnished with scope bases. However, I think that reference is actually to what I would call target block bases of the type used on the target rifles.
In the 1950s, it would not be hard to imagine that one could buy custom scope mounts and the like from the factory. If you belive this rifle may actually have such a custom factory mount, it would be well worth it to get a factory letter on it. If I recall correctly, the Cody Museum has the Winchester records. (I bought some Winchester letters years ago, but cannot remember for sure how I did it. I think the museum has a web site with the letter information on it, but have not checked for years.)
The 20-gauge Model 12 will have significant value ($1,000+?), but I will leave it to Winchester experts to speculate further.
Both sound like nice guns. Help Winchester experts!0 -
52 Sporters were generally all open sights, rings and bases for this particular model posed a problem due to the angle of the bolt handle when raised up....newer reproduction models from Winchester and Browning were offered with mounts that fit on the action....even as nice as these are, problems still arise with the bolt knob clearing the eyepiece of the scope.....most of the original "target 52's" had long low scopes (Fecker, Lyman, Redfields) attached with blocks mounted to the barrel and not to the receivers. You mention the bases and scope were "factory installed"....what brand of scope is it? If you have a serial number, I can get the rifles manufacture date pinpointed down to almost the day it was built.
52 Sporters are commanding premium dollars today, most nice ones will run $2500-$3500 depending on condition, box, accessories, etc. If this is a special order Factory unit, with proper documentation it would add value above that of the average 52. Without the letter of proof from the factory or a receipt, the value will drop dramaticly because most collectors know these were not drilled for scopes. I've seen drilled receivers on sporters knock the price to less than half of a non-drilled unit.
Email pics if you'd like to renaissancehighpower@yahoo.com , would be glad to help if possible....
Edited by - Rembrandt on 09/06/2002 06:24:110 -
Get a serial number and either post it (partially) and/or call Winchester. The modern version of the 52 goes for about $500, quite a difference from the original sporters. 0 -
Casey,
Got the pictures, they were a little dark. Looks like some sort of quick release side mount....have seen some similar on European rifles and military sniper rifles. The scope looks like a Weaver Alaskan ????, pretty dark though. I doubt it was factory installed but may be worth the effort to check with Winchester and find the track record on this rifle. I checked my Winchester 52 reference book and found nothing like this. Maybe someone else will have some information.0 -
Anyone have any more ideas?
I have determined that it is a Model 52C sporter made in 1955. Talked with the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and they said the records were destroyed. So, it doesn't look like I'll be able to find much out. Are there any other sources that anyone knows of? Thanks!0 -
Hello IM10guage. Please send me the pics and serial # so I can do some research for you. email:Chester52C@aol.com If it is a "C" sporter then it did come from the factory drilled & tapped on top of the reciever, the "C" variation was the only one that was, earlier ones just had the two holes on the left side to mount a reciever sight. It is highly doubtful that it came from Winchester with a scope on it. If it did it would most likely be a Winchester fixed, low power and would say Winchester on the scope. By the way, Lyman made Alaskans, not Weaver. I'll be glad to help, if I can. Thanks, WIN52C
Edited by - WIN52C on 09/18/2002 00:47:580
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