Made from 1920 to 1927. Barrell length under 18" so was a short barrelled shotgun, but removed from NFA and re-classified as a Curio and Relic. Only 20,700 ever made. Hard to find ammo for, approx $3/shell. Asking price $400 to $1800 depending on quality. Update: Fiocchi has begun making ammo that fits this model. It's listed as a "specialty" product with the specific designations, 9FLS8 and 9FLS9. You can buy a box of 50 for around $24.00. My local gun shop ordered some for me.
U.S. Patent Office
you will have to do research in the US Patent Office
Try the U.S. Patent Office
That patent date is found on shotguns manufactured by J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co.
It is a Stevens shotgun, based on a Browning patent. Inexpensive.
I would have to assume that you have a semi-auto shotgun.If your shotgun has a slight hump to the back of the reciever then it was a shotgun made with a browning patent and would have to be listed on the gun along with the royaltys paid to his patent.
There were three different Winchester lever-action Models with the 1866 patent... the Model 1866, the Model 1873, and the Model 1876. The 1866 patent date refers to King's patent for the side loading gate mechanism.
Stevens 520 pump
For patent information, you need to contact The US Patent and Trademark Office or you can also visit their websiteand find some additional patent information there.
Patent Information Users Group was created in 1988.
Daisy made about 50 thousand of the "Winchester 73" model ( it's really a Cowboy 1894) BB Rifle for Sears from 1969-73.
your Winchester model 52 was made in 1926.