I didn't read all of the posts but did reas many and looked at the pics.
I don't know if anyone pointed these things out, but a 1952 was probably the last of the best ones. They had the scope mounting down and some even hade Monte Carlo Combs. They didn't start the cost cutting measures or at least the early 1952 models still had Integral front sight ramps and hand lapped bores finished with up to 7 different reamers. A 1952 is a great model 70 for owning, hunting, or collecting.
