hello,

I have what looks to be a Winchester 52 pre-a very early round top receiver. If it is a Winchester receiver it would be forged. Here are some photos of the rear of the action(first one) and a factory pre-a flat top(2nd one). The 3rd photo is another early round top. Can anybody tell me if they think the top reciever is forged?

The reason I ask is there is speculation that the top receiver is a clone. But to me,the way the back of the action,the way it is finished looks like a factory Winchester 52.

If it were a clone,what are the chances that it would be forged if indeed it was? Thanks

P.S. this barreled action has a Eric Johnson barrel. EJ worked for Winchester from 1928 into the 1940's. So he could have had access to 52 receivers.

first

2nd

3rd

Here is a photo of the bottom of the receiver.



It is a single shot. But there does not look to have any welding done. Just 2 screw holes machined and tapped to secure a single shot block feeding ramp inside of the action.



Here is the underside of the 52 factory action.



and there is this photo of a factory 52C action. Notice the receiver is milled flat,but the rear machining is almost identical. i'm sure this would hold the same as a later 52B action.

Anybody good at forensics?

Pre 64 Winchester M70 receivers are not forged and I recall that the 52s were not either; they are milled from bar stock. Especially on the 52, you gain nothing by forging it first. It looks like someone took a Bridgeport to a M52 receiver to put scope bases on.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Pre 64 Winchester M70 receivers are not forged and I recall that the 52s were not either; they are milled from bar stock. Especially on the 52, you gain nothing by forging it first. It looks like someone took a Bridgeport to a M52 receiver to put scope bases on.

I thought the 52 & 70 were forged. As per the Winchester website: "Receiver -- Today's Model 70 has a forged receiver just like the originals. Forged, then machined from a solid piece of steel for maximum strength."

The point of my post was that the originals were forged and inded if that was the case,I had doubts that a limited in quantity clone would be. I posted the photos because I was looking for opinions if the top receiver looked factory (winchester) made.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
It looks like someone took a Bridgeport to a M52 receiver to put scope bases on.

Ok,then I assume no matter about forging or not you think the top receiver is a 52?

Btw if you look close that "bridgeport milled " block is curved to fit that receiver on the bottom. Thanks for the input,appreciated.

I can't comment on 52s as I have limited experience with them, but for sure, original (pre 64,) M70s were milled from solid rectangular bars. Only during the post 64 re-design did they forge them to try to save some time in machining the receivers. They were losing money on each gun they made, as Remington and Savage were vastly outselling Winchesters. Yours is strange; maybe it is hand made, or a factory prototype; but as I said, I am not knowledgeable in Model 52s.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
I can't comment on 52s as I have limited experience with them, but for sure, original (pre 64,) M70s were milled from solid rectangular bars. Only during the post 64 re-design did they forge them to try to save some time in machining the receivers. They were losing money on each gun they made, as Remington and Savage were vastly outselling Winchesters. Yours is strange; maybe it is hand made, or a factory prototype; but as I said, I am not knowledgeable in Model 52s.

Thanks....god yes it is strange. Butch Lambert are you out there?

Could it be a Morgan receiver?

quote:

Originally posted by butchlambert:
Could it be a Morgan receiver?

Hi Butch,

No not a Morgan receiver. Over at RFC,one gentleman says it is a British clone. My doubt about that is that why would they use a very rare special order pre-a round top as a model.

Does the bottom where the mag well should be look welded to you? Thanks

Btw Eric Johnson's barrel on this is dated 1953 and the rear tang resembles a 52B or C but does not have the area for the safety milled out on the RH bolt side.

Sorry I can't help you. It was just a guess. I've been looking for a Morgan and haven't even seen one to know one.

How about an H&R 12 or 1200; those were Win 52 Clones.