I recently purchased a used Model 52 barrel at auction. I will not reveal the auction nor the seller at this time, as I am trying to negotiate a refund.

The seller wrote " rare S&W model 52 factory original barrel very hard to find and in excellent condition it is for the 38S&W wadcutter have never seen one this nice." And in an e-mail to me he wrote " was installed in a 52-2". And there was a photo - no ruler along side for scale. Looked OK to me. (Famous last words)

Well, it's no longer factory original. It's an inch too short! And installed in a 52-2? How? The barrel is too short to engage the barrel bushing!

The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, 4th edition, reports that 1 Model 52 is known to be made with a four inch barrel. So, if you have serial number 51511, I have your barrel!! Or an extra one. I can make you a good deal if I am unable to obtain a refund.

Request advice.

Bob in Phoenix

Is it inscribed “.38 Special Mid-Range” on the hood like the barrels that we are all familiar with?

The 52-A would have a 4-inch barrel.

Guess I’m not exactly clear from your post — how did you see photos and with a tape measure and seemingly see the bulbous muzzle end (or what should have been) and yet in hand, it is obviously not? Or are you saying that he shipped something different than he photographed?

Can we see these pictures?

Could this possibly be a barrel for and M39?

Im following this Thread. Never seen a 4" for a 52.

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

There was at least ONE Model 52 mfd. with a 4" barrel, which is pictured in SCSW 4th Edition. Wouldn't be all that big a surprise to learn that additional barrels exist and/ or, hopefully someday, another legit 4" M52.

David

Sevens: Yes, the barrel says 38 Special Mid-range. No, it is not a 52-A barrel. That would be chambered in 38 AMU.
The seller posted photos on the auction site. There are pictures of the barrel but no tape measure. The barrel in the picture does not have that slightly larger diameter ring around the muzzle. He appears to have shipped the one he photographed.
It seems I do not have privileges to post photos on this site
Bob

Brister1984: No, it is not a Model 39 barrel.

Wordsmith: What page of the SCSW 4th Ed. has a picture of the 4inch Model 52? I have a copy but can't find the picture.
Bob

Does the barrel have the spherical bulge just short of the muzzle that is fitted to the bushing???

Bayouboy: No, no annular bulge around the muzzle.

Bob

The slide has to be different in order to accept the 4 inch barrel. Check to see if the serial numbers match between the slide and frame. The matching serial number for all 52-1s and 52-2s is located under the rear sight. On the the early 52s with the long extractor, the serial number was stamped underneath the extractor. It's the only way to determine if your 52 is all original with matching serial numbers.

Looks like you may have purchased a “bubba” barrel which was cut off to try to make a M52 from a M39. I’ve never hear of a 4” M52. It may be possible to make one with a M52 frame, your barrel and a Highly modified M39 slide but I dont know why one would try.

Waiting for pictures...

Gotta wonder what slide that would have fit....without the bulge it wouldn't fit a 52 barrel bushing even is there was such a thing as a shortened 52 slide.