11 January 2006, 08:01
tieoneonWinchester Model 52 - pre A.
Hi y'all. I have a Winchester Model 52 (just the plain 52, no A, B, C or D). Serial number dates it at 1931. I have a few questions. Will a bolt handle from a later model A, B, C, or D fit my bolt? My bolt has the old springfield style safety. The bolt was ground to clear a scope and I wanted to take it back to orginal. Also, does anyone have an exploded picture and a parts list for this gun? Thanks much
11 January 2006, 08:40
DeBeeI have one of those- nice piece! Mine was trashed when I got it- I detail stripped it, judiciously polished each and every part and pin (making a few new ones too) rust blued the whole thing and set it in a new stock made from an old stock as a pattern. It's my backyard fun gun and I like to shoot CBee caps out of the 28" barrel- helps subdue the report- gets tough looking through that tiny peep...
Anyway, the Pre A has a spline that holds the handle to the bolt. It's milled down the center of the top of the handle and fixed with a tight pin. Sometimes you will see a bolt handle pop up on eBay but you will pay dearly for it. My recommendation would be to remove the handle, weld it up like the original and dress it down carefully with needle files and stones, reblue...
There is a book dedicated to Winchester 52's authored by Houze and while it is more of the historical background and design work concerning the 52 series of rifles, it might be worth a look...
Well worth the effort. Good Luck.
13 January 2006, 08:54
vigillinusMany pre-A 52s were altered to speedlock with the later internal parts. NObody bothered to add an A to the serial number. You want to be sure which you have, and the Houze book will tell you.