My New M52-2

[Brister1984]

Just acquired a Model 52-2 from an online auction and have some curiosity as to its origin.
The pistol arrived in better condition than described from an established online dealer. It looked perfect, with very little use, if any, the magazines appeared to be in new condition. Having had it out to the range several times now, it shoots better than I do, just like I remembered the one I had back in the 1980s.

First thing that caught my eye was the tiny machining markings on the bottom of the slide, have not seen this on any other M52s. The slide is tight on the frame, just don't recall seeing this on any other M52.
Second thing is the serial number A107204. Looked this up in the Standard catalog and found this number appears to precede the initial numerical range beginning with 1970-71 A115001 - A156801.
Third thing is the original box. It is not a Bangor Punta box, rather the blue 2 piece box (1957-1966) with the S&W Logo top left and the name Smith & Wesson with address bottom right, with metal corners. On one end also printed in silver letters is "Smith & Wesson, .38 Master, Blue Finish, Model 52." The other end has a paper label with the letter codes for blue finish, barrel length and serial number hand-written.
Originally I thought this might be an early 70s pistol, now I am not sure if it might be an early version of the M52-2. My understanding was the M52-2 production began in 1971 and ended in 1993.
Those of you who share my appreciation for the historical aspects of our beloved firearms might also find this interesting and share your knowledge with me.

[Aussie Collector]

Originally Posted by Brister1984

Just acquired a Model 52-2 from an online auction and have some curiosity as to its origin.
The pistol arrived in better condition than described from an established online dealer. It looked perfect, with very little use, if any, the magazines appeared to be in new condition. Having had it out to the range several times now, it shoots better than I do, just like I remembered the one I had back in the 1980s.

First thing that caught my eye was the tiny machining markings on the bottom of the slide, have not seen this on any other M52s. The slide is tight on the frame, just don't recall seeing this on any other M52.
Second thing is the serial number A107204. Looked this up in the Standard catalog and found this number appears to precede the initial numerical range beginning with 1970-71 A115001 - A156801.
Third thing is the original box. It is not a Bangor Punta box, rather the blue 2 piece box (1957-1966) with the S&W Logo top left and the name Smith & Wesson with address bottom right, with metal corners. On one end also printed in silver letters is "Smith & Wesson, .38 Master, Blue Finish, Model 52." The other end has a paper label with the letter codes for blue finish, barrel length and serial number hand-written.
Originally I thought this might be an early 70s pistol, now I am not sure if it might be an early version of the M52-2. My understanding was the M52-2 production began in 1971 and ended in 1993.
Those of you who share my appreciation for the historical aspects of our beloved firearms might also find this interesting and share your knowledge with me.

You have a good gun there the 52 is a work of art, both to look at and to shoot. The gun will shoot tens all day as long as you point it there.
With the marks on the slide you need to post pictures.
The serial number will be 71 or 72. Just the way the serial numbers work with Smith & Wesson. The box might be old stock. You need to remember boxes are bought in bulk and used up so it can take years before old stock is used. Again pictures of the label may tell us if it's the original box.

[Sevens]

The marks may be European proof marks, we have recently seen a LOT of guns being re-imported.

I believe with what you have described, it’s definitely a very early 52-2 from the early 1970’s. If the frame is marked 52-2 and you have the modern extractor, disregard what the Standard Catalog has for projected number range.

Let’s see some pictures of the marks.

[Brister1984]

Posting pictures of slide and box.
The tool marks on the slide are unique in that I've never seen tool marks on any M52. I have another M52 produced in the mid 80s and it is does not have such tool marks, nor have any other M52 I have seen over the years. The pistol is still tight, absolutely no play between slide and frame. It's just a bit different from what I'm used to seeing.
The box pictures show this to be a pre-Bangor Punta box. I guess it is just an old stock box they were using up at the time.
My guess is this is an early version M52-2 and I am lucky to have it.

[James E. McCall]

Gentlemen, I am a new member of this forum, I am a former Marine with 5 years active duty and another few years in the active reserve. When I became a civilian I was accepted into a Police Dept where I spent the next 30 years until retirement. I joined the PD's pistol team and for a few years used a Model 14 Revolver w/ 6 inch barrel. Another colleague had a Model 52-1 which he didn't like shooting so I purchased same. I used this pistol in the matches thereafter for about 10 years going to matches in states all over the East coast until my family became too large for me to continue. While in the Marine Corps I was in the infantry "K" Co. 3rd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment 2nd Marine Division so I went all over the world during my tour of duty, I was a Corporal and eventually assigned in our Company to a Mechanical "mule" M274 with a 106 Reccoilless rifle myself being the gunner/driver. Our Armorer had me assigned during off hours to rebuilding everything in our inventory from the Model 1911a1 all the way up to including Mortars and Machine guns 30 cal up to 50 cal. I learned a lot and when our Chief of police found out about same he had me repairing and replacing parts on our Smith & Wesson Model 10's. I loved shooting that Model 52-1 serial 59636 even though the other shooters objected as I was able to shoot a lot faster and punch the black out of either 50 or 25 yard line and I would throw their timing off as they cocked the hammer for each shotn , with my Model 14 I would shoot double action and still hit the bulleye with regularity, got even worse when I started sgooting the Model 52-1. However just this last year I took it out and decided to clean it before shooting it again and found that my disassembly was missing. Looked over and couldn't find it. Finally went to Gun Parts Inc. Waited two monhs before they sent me the tool, and guess what? The tool would not fit flat against the muzzle. Somehow I was able to cock it at an angle and get the serrated barrel nut off. I was wondering if any of you gentlemen in this forum would know where to get the proper tool? Smith & Wesson doesn't have any so I came to this forum upon advice from an employee of a company who sells gun parts whom I met at a gun show in Penn. yesterday at Pocono Raceway . If someone can help pease help me as I don't want to damage my 52-1.

[Kp321]

You did yourself a favor when you lost your bushing wrench. They are notorious for scratching the finish on both the bushing and slide. There are posts on this forum about using a 12 point socket to turn the bushing, can’t remember the size right now. I have never needed a tool to turn the bushing, it just needs to be snug, not torqued. I use a small brass rod or thin piece of wood to hold down the detent then the bushing should turn with finger pressure.

[gmborkovic]

Hello James, am a 52 shooter and dont waste your money on the bushing nut wrench. Just use a wooden dowel to push the plunger down and use your hand to loosen or tighten the nut.

[Brister1984]

James
Thanks for your post, your service and for sharing your history. The wrench supplied with the M52 really is a tool without a purpose. The only time it is necessary is when the bushing is too tight to remove with the fingers. I just use my thumbnail to hold the retaining pin down and remove/install the bushing with my fingers. If it is too tight, try using a rubber jar-opener (the sheet type) to get a better purchase on the bushing. One other tip, I use a moly paste grease to install the bushing, that way next time it unscrews easily.

[James E. McCall]

Thanks for letting me know about that, I don't want to scratch the finish as it is in pretty good shape. I also want you to know that I have the 52-1 model that after you take it down inside the front of the receiver forward of the trigger there is a hex wrench key that when turned moves the trigger forward so that it can be fired for the first round DOUBLE ACTION, how about that, I know they deleted that on subsequent frames. Also when I purchased that 52-1 I found out that it had been fired with a double load of Bullseye from a box of 38 wadcutters seated to the mouth of the case as it will not funtion with any lead showing unless you load the first round manually, close the slide and then insert a full magazine, which would make it SIX instead of (5) Five. The gun blew, fortunately the chamber bulged and no other damage was done, barrel was replaced and it has been gobbling up 38 Special wadcutters w/ rounds seated to mouth of case ever since and still eats the heart of the bullseye target.

[1bayouboy]

It is fairly easy to get the slide/barrel/recoil guide/recoil spring assembly off as a complete unit. Then pull out the recoil spring/guide rod and and slide the barrel forward so the bushing if free. Then just depress the plunger with a fingernail and unscrew the bushing by hand.

[Jim Watson]

I also want you to know that I have the 52-1 model that after you take it down inside the front of the receiver forward of the trigger there is a hex wrench key that when turned moves the trigger forward so that it can be fired for the first round DOUBLE ACTION, how about that

I know.
I have heard that if you do that, you will play hob getting it adjusted back to SAO, too.

[cherrypointmarine]

I bought a 52-2 off another member , whom I now consider a friend , a couple of years ago . I never shot it until a couple of weeks ago . Outside of my 945's , I've never shot anything like it . Anyways , I didn't want to open the tool package just to use that tool . Luckily I have quite the supply of tools after working aviation and aerospace . A 3/4 12 point socket does the job nicely . I didn't use a ratchet thinking I would use too much force and I didn't need to . Just my two cents ...

[gmborkovic]

I have a 52 and a few custom 45s. I have never taken them apart! WHY?
Pull the slide back and clean the barrel, remove the grips and blow it out with air. Re-lube if you have to. If it shoots the way you want, why take it apart? You dont take off the heads or drop the crank on your Corvette after a good Sunday run.