Condition: Excellent+

1979 Smith & Wesson Model 52-2 .38 Spl Semi-Auto Pistol, 5” Barrel, 1 Magazine, All Original

This Smith & Wesson is a pristine example of the legendary Model 52. It is a masterfully-crafted, tuned instrument for firing .38 Spl wadcutters with extreme accuracy in bullseye shooting. Every element of this pistol has been designed with ergonomics, precision, and accuracy. This particular is in Excellent condition with only very small handling marks. All expected rollmarks are present on this pistol. Truly a relic from a bygone era, this collectible classic won’t last long.

Condition

Overall Condition: Excellent+ condition. This pistol shows few signs of prior use despite its age, with only very minor handling marks present.

Bore Condition: Excellent – mirror bright, with sharp lands and grooves.

Frame Condition: Excellent+ – almost no signs of wear present.

Specific Condition Notes: Only visible under studio lighting, the slide and some smaller parts have a shade of a wonderful plum coloration, common on guns of this type and age.

What's Included

  • Smith & Wesson Model 52-2 semi-auto pistol

  • 1x 5-rd magazine

The Model 52 came about as a direct result of a US Army request to Smith & Wesson for a match-grade target pistol in their own .38 AMU cartridge. Seeing commercial potential, Smith developed the Model 52 off of their existing Model 39, adapting it to .38 Special. Smith & Wesson spared no expense in crafting pistols that would excel at pistol bullseye competitions: the factory accuracy requirements were a 2” group at 50y. Hand-fitted and extremely smooth, this 52-2 is clearly a living monument of a past age.

The 5 in barrel is original. All expected Smith & Wesson marks are visible on the frame, barrel, and slide. Barrel has a small bulge at the muzzle to ensure perfect alignment on the barrel bushing. The iron sights are squared off in traditional bullseye fashion. The rear sight is click-adjustable. The front sight features a serrated ramp to eliminate glare. The top and rear of the slide and both sights are satin finished, also to eliminate glare. The rear of the slide features a safety catch that blocks the hammer. Only very small handling marks are visible on the front of the slide. Disassembly has not been attempted on this example.

The frame is is immaculate condition with all of its original deep bluing intact. As would be expected the trigger on this gun is exceedingly crisp and light – rated at the factory at about two pounds. An overtravel stop screw is fitted from the factory. Front strap serrations and rear strap checkering are flawless, with no wear on raised edges. The pistol’s grips are factory original Goncalo Alves wood, typical of fine Smith handguns. Their hand-cut checkering is as sharp as when they left the factory. The pistol ships with one original S&W-marked 5-rd magazine, in Excellent condition.

This Model 52-2 is an immaculate example of no-expense-spared American manufacturing of a bygone era. It remains in Excellent condition and surely will be snatched up by a discerning collector – make sure it’s you!

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson

  • Model: 52-2

  • Submodel: N/A

  • Caliber: .38 Spl – designed only for wadcutters

  • Action Type: Semi-Auto

  • Locking mechanism: Browning-type tilting barrel

  • Firing Mechanism: Hammer-fired

  • Safety mechanism: Slide-mounted safety catch

  • Magazine type: Detachable box

  • Capacity: 5+1

  • Barrel Length: 5 in

  • Barrel Material: Steel

  • Barrel Features: Hand-fitted; tight bushing

  • Sights: Fixed front post; click-adjustable target rear sight

  • Optics Mount: N/A

  • Receiver Material: Steel

  • Finish: Blued

  • Grip Material: Goncalo-Alves wood

  • Grip Features: Crisp, hand-cut checkering; Smith & Wesson medallions

  • Country of Origin: USA

  • Year Manufactured: 1979