Winchester 52 'Pre A' Bolt Takedown

[DeBee]

Also posted in the Gunsmithing forum- I'm seeking more exposure...

I'm cleaning up a Winchester 52 'Pre A' .22 RF circa 1925. All is going well except the bolt is cruddy with some rust forming on the inside and on the spring...

I'd like to take the bolt apart. I have a 52B repro and when I lock the striker in the vise and pull on the bolt body, the bolt handle also slides free and I can access the firing pin guide pin and tap it out...

However, on this Pre A model with the Springfield like cocking piece, the bolt handle is not moving from the bolt body- it spins freely around the body but will not move fore or aft.

Have I missed something? Is the Pre A takedown drill different from other 52s.

Any advice, links, or instruction appreciated.

 

[BADSBSNF81]

See if this helps: Clamp the bolt body in a vise. Pull the breech bolt handle back far enough to expose the firing pin guide pin. No turning is involved. Drift out the pin with a punch. Leave the punch in place. Remove firing pin plug. Firing pin spring can be released by taking punch out. Spring is under tension so be careful. Remove firing pin and breech bolt handle.

During reassembly the firing pin spring must be forced forward of the pin hole in breech bolt witha screwdriver or something similar to allow the firing pin guide pin to be put in.

I'd also shoot some Gun Scrubber or similar product in the bolt and let it sit for a while to loosen up the rust. HTH.