The included letter from Herbert G. Houze, an author of more than 20 books and monographs on firearms and was curator of the Winchester Arms Museum of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, identifies this Winchester Model 52A Rifle as a special order factory built arm. According to Houze, "The construction and fitting of the stock are consistent with Winchester work of the mid-1930's" and "the checkering matches the patterns used by the company at that time". Houze continues, the Winchester proofmarks stamped on the left side of the barrel and receiver instead of being stamped on top was authorized by Winchester so that the proofs would be visible after the factory fitted the receiver with a Griffin & Howe Alaskan telescopic sight mount which remains attached to the rifle. Houze knows of only one other Model 52A with a G&F telescopic sight base and states that out of the 444 Model 52A Rifles produced, fewer than 40 were special order rifles. The rifle has a ramp beaded blade front sight with no provisions for a rear sight. The left side of the receiver is also fitted with a Lyman peep sight base (base only, no peep sight). "SPORTING" is marked in front of the trigger. The nicely figured checkered pistol grip stock has a black forend cap, hard rubber factory grip cap, raised cheekpiece on the left side of the buttstock, a blank silver initial oval near the buttstock sling swivel, and a checkered steel buttplate. The magazine base is marked with the letter "W". Comes with a leather sling featuring quick release sling swivels and Winchester Model 52 Rifle brochure.

Very fine as partially refurbished. The barrel and receiver retains 97% plus original blue finish with some loss at the muzzle and some minor edge wear with a few minor scratches. The trigger guard is reblued with most remaining. The reoiled stock is also very fine with a few minor handling marks. The checkering is crisp.