One of the finest small-caliber well-made quality-built bolt-action rifles ever built. Model 52 was Winchester's answer to the increased demand for a military-style target rifle following WWI. Chambered for .22 LR cartridge. Designed by T.C. Johnson. Model 52 was built in several different configurations over its production life:
1. Model 52: with finger-groove in fore-end; one barrel band. Produced from 1920 to 1929.
2. Model 52 Target Rifle: same as above, without finger-groove in fore-end; has first speed lock. Made from 1929 to 1932.
3. Model 52A Target Rifle: same as above, with addition of reinforced receiver and locking lug. Made from 1932 to 1935.
4. Model 52B Target Rifle: same as above, with addition of adjustable sling swivel and single-shot adapter. Made from 1935 to 1947.
5. Model 52C Target Rifle: same as above, with addition of an easily adjustable vibration-free trigger mechanism. Made from 1947 to 1961.
6. Model 52D Target Rifle: single-shot, with free-floating barrel; new design stock, with adjustable hand-stop channel.
7. Model 52 Bull Gun: same as target rifle; fitted with extra-heavy weight barrel. Made from 1939 to 1960. Bull barrel measures 1.125" at receiver juncture; heavy weight measures 1". Both barrels measure .875" at muzzle.
8. Model 52 International Match: free-style stock, with thumbhole; adjustable buttstock and fore-end; introduced in 1969. International Prone model, with no thumbhole or adjustable buttplate and fore-end; introduced in 1975. Both discontinued in 1980.
9. Model 52 Sporter: 24" round barrel; select walnut checkered pistol-grip stock, with cheekpiece; fore-end, with black plastic tip; pistol-grip furnished with hard rubber grip cap. Model 52 Sporter introduced in 1934; discontinued in 1958. It went through same improvements as Target Rifle, thus designation Model 52A Sporter, etc.