Winchester 52 Sporter

rchall · Apr 3, 2009

I had posted earlier about buying a Winchester 52 sporter and finally found one that is for sale. It is
in excellent original condition and is a B model. It has been drilled on top for scope bases and I was told
this can adversely affect the value. About how much should one deduct for this alteration on such a gun if
it was not done at the factory?

rchall · Apr 3, 2009

I had posted earlier about buying a Winchester 52 sporter and finally found one that is for sale. It is
in excellent original condition and is a B model. It has been drilled on top for scope bases and I was told
this can adversely affect the value. About how much should one deduct for this alteration on such a gun if
it was not done at the factory?

Steave · Apr 3, 2009

I'm not a 52 expert by any means, but I would think drilling would decrease the value by probably 40%-50%. How much is the fellow asking for it?

RonJ · Apr 3, 2009

I doubt the reduction would be that much. Sporters are highly sought after. If the D/T is competently done maybe $100.00.

gunsmith11 · Apr 3, 2009

local shop had one a couple of days ago,, if I remember correct think he had it marked at $599.00

Steave · Apr 3, 2009

Originally posted by gunsmith11:
local shop had one a couple of days ago,, if I remember correct think he had it marked at $599.00

It must have been one of the Browning re-pops, it certainly wasn't an original sporter at anywhere near that price, drilled or not.

rchall · Apr 3, 2009

$3500.00 OTD

Steave · Apr 3, 2009

Sounds a bit high to me, but, as I said, I'm not that up on the 52 values. I imagine S&WChad will have a better handle on the value than me, hopefully he'll chime in.

s&wchad · Apr 4, 2009

I'd say a drilled Sporter is worth $2000-$2500. An original gun that hasn't been altered is worth $4000-$5000, so a 50% discount is right on. Check out GB completed listings. I'll be back (gotta go to a show)!

Sara Noh · Apr 4, 2009

I have owned several 52 Sporters, from an unfired pre-A to 4-5 B models. I agree with s&w chad that the asking price is 1K too high. I purchased a B model with a Griffin & Howe mount several years ago for $1100.00 and a B model that had been tapped on top of the receiver for $1395.00. Prices have risen since then and I suspect that $2500.00 is about what they're bringing now.

sar4937 · Apr 4, 2009

I have been looking at what I believe to be a Sporter at a local Cabela's store, they think it's a cut-down Target model. There are several articles online if you search describing the rifles differences.

J. Galt · Apr 4, 2009

I agree with the %50 decrease in value. $2500 for it still seems high to me, but with the way those things are going, it might be right.

Sara Noh · Apr 4, 2009

If you are serious about purchasing a 52 sporter, get the Winchester 52 book. There is lots of information about the 52 sporter and great pictures. I have never seen a cut down target 52 that in any way resembled a legitimate 52 sporter.

rchall · Apr 4, 2009

I do have that book and it is very informative on this gun. I too agree that the price seems steep
for a .22 bolt. However, I have only seen maybe 1-2 of them at gunshows. I guess this is my "holy
grail" gun, but don't want to overpay. I may keep looking, one might turn up somewhere. Thanks!

ElToro · Apr 4, 2009

my shooting buddy has a 52 sporter that belonged to C lark G a ble (documented, bought from his estate)

check GB for current and completed auctions

cmort666 · Apr 4, 2009

Originally posted by rchall:
I had posted earlier about buying a Winchester 52 sporter and finally found one that is for sale. It is
in excellent original condition and is a B model. It has been drilled on top for scope bases and I was told
this can adversely affect the value. About how much should one deduct for this alteration on such a gun if
it was not done at the factory?

I believe there's a Collector Grade book on the 52, if you want to do some serious research before you put down some money.

RonJ · Apr 4, 2009

Sorry my original post should have said $1000.00, not $100.00. But even that was wrong. Looking on the auction sights I see 52b's for as much as $7000.00 but a d/t'd on in nice condition is only $2500.00.

sar4937 · Apr 4, 2009

Originally posted by Sara Noh:
If you are serious about purchasing a 52 sporter, get the Winchester 52 book. There is lots of information about the 52 sporter and great pictures. I have never seen a cut down target 52 that in any way resembled a legitimate 52 sporter.

The rifle has the short, light barrel, left side safety, and a sporter stock that is refinished. The refinisher did not remove the old brown stain around the magazine release. It has a replacement front sight, and the style of barrel that is cut off flush. So they think it is a cut down barrel. Several sites have mentioned fake Sporters made from target rifles. None of this is relevant to the OP's post. Sorry.

rchall · Apr 4, 2009

Yes, I remember reading somewhere that Clark Gable did own a 52 Sporter and it had been auctioned
off. Now that would be a piece of history. Was it an A,B, etc? Also, was it in good condition?

Sara Noh · Apr 4, 2009

A 52 Sporter was for many years my "Holy Grail" rifle, I acquired the unfired pre A model from a classified wanted ad in Shotgun News. This was in the late '70's, even way back then they were not much seen at gunshows. The pre A 52 Sporter had a Jack O'Connor connection and was one of the more interesting Sporters that i've owned. Of all the Sporters I've owned, only two were purchased at gunshows and I've been actively pursuing them since the mid '70's. Nowadays a wanted ad is the way to go, it will save you lots and lots of legwork.

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