Winchester 1931 Model 52 .22 target rifle

2nd Amend Defend · December 6, 2018, 08:44 PM

So I have the same question on another Winchester I own. It's a 1931 Model 52 .22 target rifle. She is in excellent condition for her age, all original and has never been restored. What is the value?

I've attached photos for reference.

Thanks for the feedback!

Larry Glover

Pathfinder45 · December 6, 2018, 10:28 PM

Priceless. This is your chance to really learn to shoot well; yes, with a rifle like that, better than you ever have. Was that also your Dad's rifle?

Scorch · December 7, 2018, 04:34 AM

Nice enough rifle. Original? Never saw a Winchester stock like that.

**Mike Irwin** · December 7, 2018, 07:22 AM

I'm pretty sure that's a post WW II Fajen stock.

joe45c · December 7, 2018, 09:21 AM

I'm not a expert on 52s but i think the stock has been changed out. Most of the preA stocks i have seen were a military type design with finger grooves in the front section. I think similar to 03 Springfields. I own a 52 B that i bought a couple years ago made in 1948 and it cost me $800.00 so just a guess yours might be worth somewhere in that area. Anyway they are great rifles, and very accurate. Love shooting mine.

Jim Watson · December 7, 2018, 10:24 AM

Interesting a 52 got a new stock but kept its "ladder" rear sight. I bet it was mostly shot with a scope, looks like some wear marks on the scope blocks.

2nd Amend Defend · December 7, 2018, 12:13 PM

Pathfinder 45 - Yes, also my father's. He had the rifle my entire life, so I'm thinking he purchased it with the stock. It's very heavy and I know it was meant for target practice.

Yes, there are wear marks on the scope blocks so I would agree that at some point in the rifles life it probably had a scope. No scope on it during my lifetime though.

Pathfinder45 · December 8, 2018, 03:29 AM

Yeah, it sorta is meant for target practice, but not primarily. I think it was built with the intention of winning the match at high levels of competition. It's a serious competitor's rifle. You'd be keeping that one, if you were me.

DaleA · December 10, 2018, 07:46 PM

Quote:

It's a serious competitor's rifle. You'd be keeping that one, if you were me.

I agree. I remember way back when when there was a Ford/Chevy debate between the Winchester 52 and the Anschutz 54 target rifles. Winchester seemed to be superior at Camp Perry while Anschutz dominated the Olympics. Sigh. Anschutz is still making target rifles and Winchester, well not so much.

Yeah, I'd hang on to that one.

December 7, 2018, 04:34 AM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Nice enough rifle. Original? Never saw a Winchester stock like that. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

December 7, 2018, 07:22 AM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	I'm pretty sure that's a post WW II Fajen stock. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 7, 2018, 12:13 PM	#7
2nd Amend Defend Member Join Date: November 28, 2018 Posts: 36	Pathfinder 45 - Yes, also my father's. He had the rifle my entire life, so I'm thinking he purchased it with the stock. It's very heavy and I know it was meant for target practice. Yes, there are wear marks on the scope blocks so I would agree that at some point in the rifles life it probably had a scope. No scope on it during my lifetime though. Last edited by 2nd Amend Defend; December 7, 2018 at 12:24 PM.

December 6, 2018, 10:28 PM	#2
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Priceless. This is your chance to really learn to shoot well; yes, with a rifle like that, better than you ever have. Was that also your Dad's rifle?

December 7, 2018, 09:21 AM	#5
joe45c Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2012 Location: peru ny Posts: 218	I'm not a expert on 52s but i think the stock has been changed out. Most of the preA stocks i have seen were a military type design with finger grooves in the front section. I think similar to 03 Springfields. I own a 52 B that i bought a couple years ago made in 1948 and it cost me $800.00 so just a guess yours might be worth somewhere in that area. Anyway they are great rifles, and very accurate. Love shooting mine.

December 7, 2018, 10:24 AM	#6
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,538	Interesting a 52 got a new stock but kept its "ladder" rear sight. I bet it was mostly shot with a scope, looks like some wear marks on the scope blocks.

December 8, 2018, 03:29 AM	#8
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Yeah, it sorta is meant for target practice, but not primarily. I think it was built with the intention of winning the match at high levels of competition. It's a serious competitor's rifle. You'd be keeping that one, if you were me.