model 52 production
- Thread starter Jaco1234
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Aussie Collector
Member
Interesting question. One I'm sure has been asked before.
52 (no dash) 3500 is documented elsewhere.
Looking at my data I estimate the numbers around...
52 = 5650. Give or take a few 100.
52-1 = 15400 give or take a few 1000s
52-2 = 55000 give or take a few 1000s, up to 1980 (serial number A490000)
After this I have not looked to hard at it.
An uneducated guess would be around 200000 52-2s
I'm looking forward to others input...
52 (no dash) 3500 is documented elsewhere.
Looking at my data I estimate the numbers around...
52 = 5650. Give or take a few 100.
52-1 = 15400 give or take a few 1000s
52-2 = 55000 give or take a few 1000s, up to 1980 (serial number A490000)
After this I have not looked to hard at it.
An uneducated guess would be around 200000 52-2s
I'm looking forward to others input...
Walter Rego
Member
I don't believe the Model 52's had their own serial number sequence but I may be wrong.
But a total production figure on the 52-2 variation of around 200,000 seems awfully high for as specialized of a model as the ".38 Master" was. Especially as production was likely fairly low in the 1980's before finally being dropped in 1993.
I'd certainly be interested to know what the total production of the Model 52 was. They were always a costly model and a niche gun for target shooters that preferred an autoloader over a K-38.
But a total production figure on the 52-2 variation of around 200,000 seems awfully high for as specialized of a model as the ".38 Master" was. Especially as production was likely fairly low in the 1980's before finally being dropped in 1993.
I'd certainly be interested to know what the total production of the Model 52 was. They were always a costly model and a niche gun for target shooters that preferred an autoloader over a K-38.
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Agreed, I would be surprised if more than about 7000 model 52s of all types were made, it was very much a niche gun.
kwill1911
SWCA Member
They shared the SN range with all automatics (39 and 41) but different blocks of numbers were reserved for the different models. I think 50,000 to 60,000 were 52s and 52-1s. 70,000 to 80,000 were 52-1s and 90,000 to 105,000 were 52-1s. I don't track the guns after they acquired the A prefix so I don't know about 52-2s.
Aussie Collector
Member
Agree nearly completely, I had to check my records to be sure, the 70000 to 80000 range was used for a mix of 41s, 41-1s and 46s. I have maybe 20 (mix of 41s, 41-1 and 46s) in this range.
Again for the range from 90000 to 100000, these are 41s and 46s.
Take these range out you are left with 20,000 guns a mix of 52 no dash and 52-1s.
Kwill, as expected you data is correct and the only exception I found is there are 36 Model 39's listed in the SWCA data base in the 50,000 s/n range. S&W strikes again.
Aussie Collector
Member
Very interesting. Very surprising too.
I have spent way too much time studying the semiautomatic serial numbers, so much so that if you give me a number in pretty sure I can tell you the model.
I do not doubt the existence of a 39 in the 50000 to 60000 range. I find it very unlikely however anything is possible with S&W.
I have seen so many errors, typos and mistakes, it's so easy to do, Photos of a 39 with a 5XXXX serial number would be very welcome
kwill1911
SWCA Member
AC - you are correct. The guns in my database in that range are 52s.
So looks like AC and Kwill are both correct and I should have rechecked my data before posting. After rechecking, the guns on my list in the 50K range are indeed all 52 /52-1. I had them lumped in with my 39 tracking. You think I would know better by now. LOL
Aussie Collector
Member
Thank you both. Pursuit of knowledge is what it's all about.
I spent hours looking at why it could be so before writing post #8
Thoughts and research into what else was in the 5XXXX range.
hush puppies...no
39A...no
Steel frame 39s..no
745.prototypes...no
952 prototype...no
52s in 9mm..no
59 prototype..no
As we know with anything S&W anything is possible.
I'm going to start another post to specifically look at the 52 no dash and how many were manufactured.
I spent hours looking at why it could be so before writing post #8
Thoughts and research into what else was in the 5XXXX range.
hush puppies...no
39A...no
Steel frame 39s..no
745.prototypes...no
952 prototype...no
52s in 9mm..no
59 prototype..no
As we know with anything S&W anything is possible.
I'm going to start another post to specifically look at the 52 no dash and how many were manufactured.
This thread is a very helpful insight.
I tried to summarize the info on this page into a spread sheet.
using the serial numbers given here. I assumed a low figure of 50% of the serial numbers and this is the spread sheet. As you can see 52-2 numbers are missing.
50%
model serial # low high
52 no dash 50000 3500 5500
52-1 80000 70000 5000 10000
105000 90000 7500 15000
52-2 105000 ? ?
total 16000 30500
I think I captured the essence of this thread. Please comment.
I tried to summarize the info on this page into a spread sheet.
using the serial numbers given here. I assumed a low figure of 50% of the serial numbers and this is the spread sheet. As you can see 52-2 numbers are missing.
50%
model serial # low high
52 no dash 50000 3500 5500
52-1 80000 70000 5000 10000
105000 90000 7500 15000
52-2 105000 ? ?
total 16000 30500
I think I captured the essence of this thread. Please comment.
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Aussie Collector
Member
I stand firm with my posts #1 & #5 until proven wrong. And I don't mind being proven wrong as it's all about learning. Therefore I put out a challenge for anyone and everyone.
Put up a photo of a model 52 in the serial number range of 70000 to 100000...
Put up a photo of a model 52 in the serial number range of 70000 to 100000...
Aussie, Im confused. Just post a total number of all 52s.
Aussie Collector
Member
I have 7 model 52’s
1- M52-0
2-M52-1
4-M52-2’s
All but one are in the original box. The one I shoot is a M52-2 that I bought in a ziplock bag at a Dallas gun show. I posted info on it “bag-O-gun”. Shoots great.
1- M52-0
2-M52-1
4-M52-2’s
All but one are in the original box. The one I shoot is a M52-2 that I bought in a ziplock bag at a Dallas gun show. I posted info on it “bag-O-gun”. Shoots great.
Aussie Collector
Member
They are beautiful guns. Looking and to shoot.
I needed a no dash for my collection, took many years to find one. Then within 6 months 4 more popped up...
Close but no cigar…
Okay that's an eye-popping number. At first I thought you had a typo and an extra "0" there.
200,000 ?
That seems like a -FAT- number.
I cannot imagine it's that large.
Aussie Collector
Member
I think the number is conservative on my part.
Model 52 serial numbers
50001 to 60000 = 10,000
100001 to (A)110000 = 10,000
A190001 to A200000 = 10,000
A230001 to A240000 = 10,000
A310001 to A320000 = 10,000
A430001 to A450000 = 20,000
A480001 to A490000 = 10,000
This takes us to 1980. And I know I'm possibly missing one or two blocks so say 100,000.
Another 12 years of production. Using A prefix then the triple alpha/numeric 0001 to 9999 = 10,000 units for each triple alpha.
Including...
TDA
TFC
TEY
TZU
TZV
TAD
TZT
TAS
TAV
Easy 200,000 plus model 52s
