52B - I found the grail

[BarryinIN]

Fascinating find (even more fascinating purchase!).

[n64atlas]

They did have a rapid fire and pursuit fire course.
Rapid fire was 5 shots in a magazine fired in 30 seconds or less.
It was two stings of five shots. The At the firing line, a round was loaded and the safety put on. At commence firing, the safety was moved to ready, the rifle moved to firing position and target was aquired. Five shots were put down range. For every shot fired before or after the command "Commence Firing" ten points were deducted from your score. This course of fire could be from the standing,kneeling,sitting, or prone postion, depending on the match you were at. It was always started with the safety on as skill and speed at unlocking the rifle is an essential part of rapid fire.
Pursuit fire is held at 200 or 100 yard staring point with 200,150,100 and 75 or 100,75,50 and 25. You accually start at 25 yards past the 200 or 100 yrd line then advance at double time (trot) to the line , stop and assume a shooting position and fire five shots in 30 seconds. Again any shots fired before the commence fire or after the cease fire command, you lose ten points. Rifles start with safety on. All of this is from the Small bore hand book.
Mine is dated 1937, there are earlier and later versions of this, that are still available on the used book sites. Mine has: Property of JW Albrecht, Bridges Mont. It has the different rifles available in 1937 for target shooting plus how to set up a smallbore range. Very interesting booklet.

[Bob S]

In the 1954 NRA Smallbore rule book, in Chapter 7, "Courses of Fire", only slow fire events are listed. However, in Chapter 9, "Competition Regulations and Range Operation", rule 9.24 is "Procedure in Case of Defective Cartridge or Disabled Rifle in Rapid (Sustained) Fire". There is also a section on "Special Regulations for Pit Operated Targets".

I do recall the DCM course of fire for .22 RF that had rapid fire stages as late as about 1980, and I probably still have the paperwork around someplace ... finding it could be a problem, though!

We used to shoot rim fire at 200 yards at Old Colony (maybe they still do), and the pits were covered, with a slot for the target carriage to go through the roof. You really had to be paying attention to know when you received a shot from a .22 RF!

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[DiverseDave]

Nice score Rick!
I think it is great that you are showing such a keen interest in this 52's note worthy history & owner. Sounds like you are the right guy to own & properly appreciate this fine 22!

Ain't it great to be the one the good Lord pours a little sunshine on!

Enjoy!
Dave.
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