diff --git a/test/limits_test.cpp b/test/limits_test.cpp
index b1d6e327..536a2c8b 100644
--- a/test/limits_test.cpp
+++ b/test/limits_test.cpp
@@ -27,11 +27,20 @@
  *
  * Therefore, avoid explicit function template instantiations.
  */
-
+#if defined(BOOST_MSVC) && (BOOST_MSVC <= 1200)
+template<typename T> inline T make_char_numeric_for_streaming(T x) { return x; }
+namespace fix{
+inline int make_char_numeric_for_streaming(char c) { return c; }
+inline int make_char_numeric_for_streaming(signed char c) { return c; }
+inline int make_char_numeric_for_streaming(unsigned char c) { return c; }
+}
+using namespace fix;
+#else
 template<typename T> inline T make_char_numeric_for_streaming(T x) { return x; }
 inline int make_char_numeric_for_streaming(char c) { return c; }
 inline int make_char_numeric_for_streaming(signed char c) { return c; }
 inline int make_char_numeric_for_streaming(unsigned char c) { return c; }
+#endif
 
 template<class T>
 void test_integral_limits(const T &, const char * msg)