Here it is, my 20 year search for the "Holy Grail"

[Rembrandt]

...."the Holy Grail of .22 rifles"....an original Winchester 52 Sporter (1947). For those not familiar with this model, it is to rimfire rifles what the 1957 Fuelie is to Corvette collectors.

These were very expensive rifles in their day, two-to-three times what the competition offered. Perhaps the most elegant of all sporters ever made. All came with peep sights....no scopes. To find a virgin 52 Sporter that has not been drilled and tapped for scope mounts is like finding hens teeth. Even more rare are the original boxes and paperwork.

In it's day these would have sold for less than $100....today rough ones go for $2000+, a pristine unit could bring double that amount and more.

Browning reintroduced (5000 units) of the model in the early 90's, Winchester soon followed with a limited number...then dropped the Sporter. These reproductions are now bringing $400-$900.

For nearly 20 years I've inspected lots of Sporters...they can be found in collectors libraries and upper end gun shops. I got lucky enough to discover this one and wasted no time getting it home.

 

[Rembrandt]

 

[jefnvk]

Well, not exactly my holy-grail of rifles, but it is still a very beautiful rifle. And if that is what you have been searching for, I congratulate you on you success.

As I look some more, I'm really liking the looks of that.

 

[Wildalaska]

Drill and tap it for a scope, put a red dot on it carve out the stock for an exteneded mag and screw on a flashider...and ya have a real 22!!

WildjustkiddingitsawesomeandwishistillhadmineAlaska

 

[wasrjoe]

Elegant.

 

[homeka45]

Well done, now on to the next holy grail! Classy looking rifle.

 

[Rich K]

Congratulations and well done.Enjoy that beauty.

 

[Cindog]

Congratulations, she's a beauty.

 

[SapperLeader]

Nice rifle, glad you found your holy grail

 

[Wayne D]

Wildalaska,
You forgot the light and the laser.

Rembrandt,
That's a beautiful rifle. Wasrjoe correctly summed it up in one word, elegant.

I mean, that kind of detail is just classy.

 

[Gordon]

Then 20 year tag line imm. got me! I very much appreciate that perfect beauty! I am jelous of your picture ability though!

 

[iamkris]

So this is what you traded that incredible Browning O/U shotgun for? It is a beautiful rifle. While not my cup of tea (that shotgun was, though ) it shows how much you wanted this rifle. Congratualtions on getting what you want!

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

Will you be shooting it?

BTW, I was way off on my guess...

 

[mustanger98]

Did they ever make it left-handed? And which rear sight is that?

 

[Old Fuff]

A lot of our members won't understand why you traded off a fine, highly engraved, Browning O/U shotgun and then paid someting to boot to get a "plain ol' bolt action .22 rifle."

But I do ...

 

[Rembrandt]

Any pristine specimens still in existence are probably in the hands of private collectors or museums. Very rarely does one in this condition surface unless it's in an estate auction. The best chance of finding one would be if a major retailer like Cabela's or Scheels bought an entire estate collection and had them in their gun library.

There were no left hand versions. Rear sight is a Lyman (48?).

Yes, I will shoot it....but it will be a "Safe Queen" to maintain the investment value. Guess if I'm going to shoot it, should use some vintage period ammo....

 

[carebear]

Put on the jacket, sling up and fire a (simulated) four position match with it. Maybe just one card each pos.

It's what the rifle really wants....

 

[ZeroX]

To each his own I guess but that O/U sure was purty...

 

[Bigfoot]

"Well done, now on to the next holy grail!"

How about the Holy Hand Grenade?
And keep your eyes open for a nice shrubbery.

 

[buzz meeks]

Wow. I'm starting to appreciate quality .22s and can't wait until I see my first 52 in the flesh. Was the Lyman sight stock?

 

[Red Tornado]

Goegeous, I can see why you traded the Browning. So this is going to be your truck gun, right?

If you shoot it, be sure to provide a range report.

 

[Steve Smith]

Well, that rifle doesn't want to be in a four positon match, but if Rembrandt will now look for a 52 D Comp mate for her, he can do that. That is a gorgeous Sporter, and I completely understand your trade. Great job!

 

[carebear]

That sure seems like an awful fine peep sight for rabbits, but I'll gladly bow to your knowledge of the gun.

So what's the match version cost?

 

[RugerOldArmy]

Very good taste. Sweet .22

The only part I don't understand, is you won't shoot it.

Life is short...and any scratches might be fondly remembered by your kids.

I wish they made 'em like that now.

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

Rembrandt, you said that you wouldn't shoot it to maintain it's investment value. My question is this...you spent 20 years looking for it, do you think you would really sell it? An investment is something that you plan on making money on in the future, I just can't imagine you selling your 'holy grail'. Then again, if you want to keep it in pristine condition for it's aesthetic value so be it, but personally, I would do like someone else said and shoot it.

As for passing on to your kids, it should not be considered an investment for them either, I know that when I kick the bucket in the year 2059 or thereabout, my kids will know the stipulations on receiving dad's guns, that is they stay in the family. If they have even an inkling of selling them, then I would just as well assume give them to friends, or others that would appreciate them.