Model 52 Winchester Sporting Rifle ~ The King of the 22s!

Published on December 10, 2020
Duration: 42:37

This video provides an in-depth review of the Winchester Model 52 Sporting Rifle, focusing on its history, features, and significance. The presenter, with clear expertise in firearms, details the rifle's craftsmanship, historical context, and its connection to notable figures like Senator Louis Wyman. The discussion covers the rifle's evolution, its pricing during different eras, and its standing in the collector's market, offering valuable insights for enthusiasts and collectors.

Quick Summary

The Winchester Model 52 Sporting Rifle, produced from 1920 to 1979, is renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, accuracy, and historical significance. Introduced in its sporting configuration in 1934, it featured meticulous hand-fitting, a superb trigger, and often a factory-installed Lyman 48F peep sight, making it a highly prized collector's item.

Chapters

  1. 00:08Introduction and Rifle Showcase
  2. 00:56Discussing the Fine Rifle
  3. 01:01Acquiring the Rifle from a Friend's Store
  4. 02:03Revealing the Model 52
  5. 02:23Model 52 Features: Lyman Sight, Sporting Configuration
  6. 03:29Sporting Rifle Edition vs. Reproductions
  7. 03:56Previous Owner: Senator Louis Wyman
  8. 04:17Senator Louis Wyman's Political Career
  9. 05:47Wyman's Sportsmanship and Second Amendment Stance
  10. 06:33Evidence of Use: Not a Safe Queen
  11. 07:09Personal Recollections of Wyman
  12. 08:12Detailed Rifle Analysis: 1935 Production
  13. 08:33Safety Design Evolution
  14. 09:09Lyman Peep Sight Precision
  15. 09:32Trigger Quality
  16. 09:57Sporting Rifle's Aesthetic Features
  17. 10:22Winchester's Craftsmanship on the Model 52
  18. 11:01Origin of the Model 52: 1920 Production Start
  19. 11:14Historical Context: Post-WWI Bolt-Action Demand Myth
  20. 12:33True Motivation: Competition and Arms Manufacturing
  21. 13:24Winchester's Predecessor: Model 1885
  22. 13:40European Influence and Repeaters
  23. 14:11Bolt-Action Familiarity Pre-WWI
  24. 14:33Goal: Competition Repeating Bolt-Action Rifle
  25. 14:44The Dewar Challenge Cup
  26. 15:52Early Competition History
  27. 17:21US Response and Wins
  28. 17:43WWI Firearms Production
  29. 18:20Model 52 Design Team
  30. 19:15T.C. Johnson's Engineering Contributions
  31. 20:00Captain Albert F. Loudensack's Role
  32. 21:06Aesthetics and Military Influence
  33. 22:05Independent Design Work
  34. 22:39Transition to Repeater Design
  35. 23:00The Crescent-Shaped Magazine
  36. 23:41Experimental Design 111
  37. 24:09Presentation to NRA and Lt. Col. Townsend Whelen
  38. 25:00Request for 12 Rifles for Dewar Cup
  39. 25:26Winning the 1919 National Match
  40. 26:04Official Production Begins: Model 52
  41. 26:13G22R Production Name
  42. 26:46Continuous Production and Changes
  43. 27:01Firing Pin Improvements
  44. 27:55Model Series: A, B, C, D
  45. 28:041935 Production Year
  46. 28:14Olin and the Sporting Configuration
  47. 28:48The Sporting Rifle as Flagship
  48. 29:28Context: The Great Depression
  49. 29:581934 Price: $88.50 (Over $1800 Today)
  50. 30:35Low Production Numbers Pre-WWII
  51. 31:07Short Run in Pre-WWII Form
  52. 31:21Total Model 52 Production Numbers
  53. 31:431958 Catalog Pricing
  54. 32:07Model 52 Sporting Rifle Price
  55. 32:37Magazine and Adapter Prices
  56. 32:55Comparison to Other Model 52 Variants
  57. 33:41Price Comparison: Model 70 Super Grade
  58. 34:38Model 75 Sporting Rifle Price
  59. 34:45Model 75 as a Consumer-Grade Answer
  60. 35:19Model 67 and Model 55 Prices
  61. 35:45High Cost in 1958
  62. 35:54Suffering from its Own Weight: Popularity Decline
  63. 36:33Competition from Anschutz and Walther
  64. 37:12Model 52's Traditional Styling
  65. 37:20Winchester's Financial Difficulties
  66. 37:39Period of Low Popularity and Collector Interest
  67. 38:02Sporting Rifle Never Given Away
  68. 38:15Selling as a Loss Leader
  69. 38:33Collecting Advice: Investigation Needed
  70. 38:43Counterfeiting and Alterations
  71. 39:12Value Drop from Re-polishing/Re-bluing
  72. 39:20Unauthorized Receiver Drilling
  73. 39:52High Prices for Altered Rifles
  74. 40:15Alternative: CZ USA Rifles
  75. 40:28CZ Model 452 and 457 Similarities
  76. 41:11Conclusion: The Model 52's Legacy
  77. 41:15Reminiscing About the Past
  78. 41:32Gun Stores as Meeting Places
  79. 42:20Call to Action: Subscribe
  80. 42:30Safety Reminder and Farewell

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Winchester Model 52 Sporting Rifle so special?

The Winchester Model 52 Sporting Rifle is highly regarded for its exceptional craftsmanship, historical significance, and accuracy. It features meticulous hand-fitting, a superb trigger, and aesthetic details like fine checkering. Its connection to notable figures and its role in competitive shooting further enhance its legendary status among firearms enthusiasts.

When was the Winchester Model 52 first produced and what was its original purpose?

The Winchester Model 52's production began in 1920, evolving from an experimental design in 1918. Its initial purpose was to compete in target shooting events, particularly the Dewar Challenge Cup, aiming to provide a high-quality bolt-action repeating rifle for competitive use.

What is the significance of the Lyman Model 48F sight on the Winchester Model 52?

The Lyman Model 48F peep sight, often factory-installed on the Winchester Model 52 Sporting Rifle, is a precision instrument adjustable for windage and elevation. Its installation required the factory to cut into the stock, highlighting the rifle's custom-level fitting and the importance of accurate sighting systems for its intended use.

Why is the Winchester Model 52 Sporting Rifle considered expensive and valuable?

The Model 52 Sporting Rifle was expensive even at its introduction in 1934, costing $88.50 (over $1800 today), during the Great Depression. Its limited production, especially the sporting variant, combined with its superior craftsmanship and historical demand, makes it a highly valued collector's item today.

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