It was owned by a guy in Freezeout Lake, Montana, who collected .22 target rifles and shot them in 50-foot competition. I met the gentleman when he brought a selection of them to a gun show in Helena, MT. I got his card at the gun show and then decided I wanted a super accurate .22 rifle and called him to see if he had an outstanding one he'd consider parting with. He said he had exactly what I was looking for if I didn't mind older rifles and invited me over for a visit. Since I prefer older rifles, I set up a date for my wife and I to drive to his farm.

The gun turned out to be a Winchester 52C with a custom target stock, a medium heavy barrel, a 20x Lyman Super Targetspot scope, and a custom Canjar trigger. I was a little worried about the condition of the scope until he told me he'd sent it to the guy back east who bought out Lyman's spare parts when they quit making the old skinny and long scopes and had him completely rebuild it. I'd never seen a Canjar trigger and he explained that it was lighter and more precise than the gun's original and excellent Winchester Speedlock adjustable target trigger. Installing that trigger involves removing the original mechanical safety and learning a new way to remove the rifle's bolt. I haven't measured the trigger pull but it feels like ounces rather than pounds. I don't close the bolt on a chambered round until I'm ready to shoot and warn people not to put their finger inside the trigger guard until they are ready to fire. It only takes a shot or two to amaze you and make you wish all your target guns had such triggers. The guy had a 50-foot range set up in his barn with an old school desk made into a rifle rest. He stuck three rounds in a magazine and told me to try it out. I was dumbstruck by the rifle's accuracy and bought it on the spot. I also bought a period rifle box/carrying case he offered to sell me.

Image below from Allan Tarvid - Image Title: Winchester 52C Uploaded: undefined
Image Info: This Winchester 52C was customized back in the day with popular accessories

Image below from Allan Tarvid - Image Title: Vintage Gun Box With Rifle Uploaded: undefined
Image Info: This old gun box carries a Winchester 52C with a Lyman Target Spot Scope. These boxes were popular partly because they protected scopes with external adjustments