Model 52-1 DOB

[Wolvey]

Afternoon all,

I purchased a Model 52-1 used, a number of years ago. It included the original box, wrench, manual, along with a boatload of .38 brass, majority nickel, which was a nice bonus. But, I had not checked as to when it was manufactured in the past and I would like to know if anyone could help.
Serial # 55 333

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sevens]

You've definitely got an early one. It's been said that 3,500 of the no-dash were made, starting with the 50000 number in 1961. I'm not sure if any of the other semi-auto pistols were also using the 5xxxx block besides the Model 52 pistols, but I can say that I have never seen any Model 39 with a 5xxxx serial number. I don't know what range the 41/46 or 61 Escort used.

I think you'd need a factory letter to really know for sure, but your pistol must be early 1960's.

 

[Wolvey]

Thanks Sevens, I knew it was one of the earlier ones, I didn't know that 3,500 were made no dash. This means maybe 1963?lsn't important at this time, it would be helpful.

It is a great shooter- very accurate.

Wow, just checked, letter of authenticity is not cheap, $83 including the postage required.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Wolvey, I have two in my data base. #55156, shipped May 1964 and #55569 shipped June 1964. All I got. Best

 

[Sevens]

I love that database you've obviously worked hard to compile!

 

[Wolvey]

Interesting for sure! I can "assume" therefore it was shipped close to those dates. Those pesky ship dates as I have read, can have a pretty big window on actual production dates, but that does help, thanks.

 

[Sevens]

I'll also say that in all the 52-1's I've seen (mostly in pictures online...) the 5-digit SN seems to be less common than the leading A, 6-digit ones.

Another curiosity that I've not seen discussed is that most 52-1's have a very "lazy ampersand" on the slide while earlier 52 no-dash pistols do not.

Also seems like the A-prefix 52-1 often has an actual dash between the 52 and 1, earlier 52-1's usually lack the dash on the frame. They usually say "Model 52 1" on them.

Just curious bits, no tangible matter.

 

[Wolvey]

I got the pistol out and the box.
I was going by memory and transposed a 5 and 3. The actual serial number is 55 533, not 55 333. I wish I could say that is my first time that has happened but I can't!

This puts it even closer to Mikes 55 569, 36 guns apart! You guys rock.
"
No ampersand that I can detect and no dash, just 52 1.
Holy cow, I had my 12th birthday in June of '64! Yep, born in "52".

As a side note, the box shows "inspector #3" and "packer #3". It would be really interesting if this rings any bells with Donk.

 

[donk52]

That's waaaay beyond my time there. I started building these in 1979.

 

[Sevens]

Don, were you still building 52's when they went to the three-letter serial prefix?

 

[BigBoy99]

I'll also say that in all the 52-1's I've seen (mostly in pictures online...) the 5-digit SN seems to be less common than the leading A, 6-digit ones.

Are you saying that when the serial numbers changed from 5-digits to 6-digits, they added the letter prefix "A" to the serial number? Is mine unusual?

 

[Model52guy]

I have SN 55163 that also shipped May 1964.

 

[donk52]

Don, were you still building 52's when they went to the three-letter serial prefix?

No, by then I switched over to building Mod 41's the 9mm's and the 45's.

 

[Wolvey]

Donk, while we have your attention I have a question, do you remember if this following quality control was still in effect during your tenure? Here is a quote from a Shooting Times article on the 52:
"According to History of Smith & Wesson by S&W historian Roy Jinks, "To insure the accuracy of the pistol, extra rigid inspection was incorporated by having the Model 52 machine rest tested at 50 yards to insure that the pistol would shoot five-shot groups having maximum spread of two inches. Any pistol that could not meet this standard was returned to production for reworking."

Also, do you think the same bar of QC was in effect for the -2 series as the -1?
Thanks for any insight on this, much appreciated.

 

[Sevens]

Are you saying that when the serial numbers changed from 5-digits to 6-digits, they added the letter prefix "A" to the serial number? Is mine unusual?

According to the SCSW, the leading A started in 1970 with the 115001 so best I can tell, no -- yours is not odd, but it does occupy that short range before 1970.

 

[donk52]

Donk, while we have your attention I have a question, do you remember if this following quality control was still in effect during your tenure? Here is a quote from a Shooting Times article on the 52:
"According to History of Smith & Wesson by S&W historian Roy Jinks, "To insure the accuracy of the pistol, extra rigid inspection was incorporated by having the Model 52 machine rest tested at 50 yards to insure that the pistol would shoot five-shot groups having maximum spread of two inches. Any pistol that could not meet this standard was returned to production for reworking."

Also, do you think the same bar of QC was in effect for the -2 series as the -1?
Thanks for any insight on this, much appreciated.

As far as I know, all 52's. -1, -2 were fired from a ransom rest and tested for accuracy, inside 10 ring at 50 yds. If they didn't group or function correctly they were sent back to the fitter for re work, hence the fitters stamp on the bottom of mag well. I was the last of the seven to fit the 52, by myself for a couple of years before I switched to building the other semi-autos.
The tri-letter prefix were built by someone with not as many years of experience. But they were ALL tested.

 

[Sevens]

Roy Jinks once stated in a factory letter that when it was decided to honor Bangers Distributors request for a "9mm chambered 52" and the Performance Center was tasked with designing the new Model 952 pistol, they worked from their experience in "finishing the last Model 52-2 pistols before the production of that model ceased."

That isn't a direct quote because I haven't seen that letter in quite a while, but that was the gist of it. I would certainly like to know more about the last 52-2's produced, I happen to have a TZT-prefix which it pretty close to the end and it's a fantastic pistol.

 

[donk52]

I was gone by then, but there were some very skilled guys there with more years under their belt than I had.

 

[Wolvey]

Don - thanks for the response.

Boy, those were some stiff requirements for a 5" barrel. It makes me wonder what ammunition qualified for test procedures. Even slight variations in any of the physical attributes of the test cartridges could potentially send a fitter back to the bench to work on the model being test fired. Were there multiple tests performed such as 3 5 round test fires or just one?

Was the ammunition made in house?

 

[donk52]

As far as i can remember the Western .38 148 gr. Mid-Range Lead wadcutter factory ammo was used to test fire the guns. Not sure how many rounds, I would think just 2 mags.