doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com A Super Rifle From Bretton Hall.

The non-speedlock 52s have the long knurled knob on the rear of the striker similar to the Krag and 1903, while the later speedlock versions are much shorter at the rear of the striker. AFAIK the stocks are similar if not identical and the original target stock can be slimmed down to a very pleasing shape, doesn't take much, it's fairly slim already. The B models are marked B but I've never seen an early 52 with the A marking, don't know if the A was ever used as a mark on a rifle. I've done several 52 sporters, they require almost as much alteration as many CF rifles for best appearance and ergonomics but the result is truly outstanding!
Regards, Joe

I have seen 52As with the A mark. Apparently, they were made both marked and unmarked. I always have to go to the book to recognize the difference between an unmarked A and a pre A. I love the old ones with the knurled striker. I had one from 1928 that would shoot to less than an inch at 100 with cheap ammo. That is good enough for a sporter. No need to find a late 52 to find one that shoots.

I have seen 52As with the A mark. Apparently, they were made both marked and unmarked. I always have to go to the book to recognize the difference between an unmarked A and a pre A. I love the old ones with the knurled striker. I had one from 1928 that would shoot to less than an inch at 100 with cheap ammo. That is good enough for a sporter. No need to find a late 52 to find one that shoots.

There are some 52's with an A in the serial number but they are not that common. Also, the change from slow to speed lock came several thousand rifles before the type-A variation was introduced.