Winchester Model 12 questions

freddbear4

I have two Model 12's, mfg.52 and 63. Both have 30"full choke bbls with V/R and center bl beads. I was told they were trap guns when I bought them but how do I know they are not just field guns with V/R?? I once saw a 12 with the word "trap" near the serial #. They both have custom stocks now and trap shooting is all I have ever used them for but I do not want to misrepresent them if and when I sell them. Answers or referrals would be appreciated. Thanks

freddbear4

I picked up today at a garage sale a Winchester Model 12 pump shotgun in 12 gauge.It has more abuse the use.Nothing a little Blue Wonder gun cleaner and some 0000 steel wool can't fix. 28 inch barrel in full choke and takes a 2-3/4 shell.Field grade model i believe.Serial number 1025624.Forearm has 18 grooves in it.It will only load 2 shells,so i am assuming it has a plug in the magazine.What is the date of DOM of this and how do i remove the plug from the mag tube ? Gave a $100.00 for it.I think i did ok.None of the screws have been messed with by Bubba.

EvilDr235

kimi

There should be a Winchester shotgun man along shortly to help you.

bobski

just a quick way to know w/o splitting hairs is to remember that most trap grade guns will have pistol grip caps and recoil pads.
field grade guns have butt plates w/ forearms that resemble corn cobs and plain stocks of no beauty.
trap guns are detailed check patterns of beauty.
click on a few auctions and see the difference.[;)]

freddbear4

I have the original stock for the 63. It has the cap,pad,and nice checkering. The only differance between the two is the v/r on the 52 has a differant pinning pattern on the posts. The v/r ribs on the receiver look the same. Thanks again for the info.

bobski

there were 3 or 4 different type ribs over the course of the m12.
trap guns in the early days had trap stamped on them. not all do now. they stopped the practice.
trap guns will have monte carlo stocks or straight trap stocks. skeet and field grade guns have a drop. best way to test it is to stand the gun up flat on its pad with bbl pointing up. if the gun tilts forward, its a skeet/field grade stock.
if the gun points straight up, its trap stock.

turtles11756

the proof marks will not be hidden under the rib if it's a winchester rib ? . wait for a sure answer from bert or only winchesters

Bert H.

Fred,

Please post pictures of both guns. As Bob mentioned, Winchester used several variations of the Vent rib posts. Exactly how is each VR marked (look on the edge of the rib)?

freddbear4

I took some pictures but could not post. At any rate you all have given info that indicates I have two trap guns. The proof marks on the bbl and receiver are along side the ribs on the same side as the mfg markings. The 52 bbl has 3 pins in the center post and the 63 has 2 pins. Both have the duck bill look on the receiver. Thanks again.

only winchesters

Hello Fred: First if it's a pre-64 gun with a "Duck Bill" ramp it's a Trap gun since it has a 30in. barrel, with a full choke. A 1952 Duck bill ramp will be "machine matted", the pressed into the metal "wavy" pattern. the 63 will be a smooth ramp, since they stopped machine matting them about 1960. A "Duck Bill ramp" is about as wide as your thumb, and narrows down to meet/mate up to the 5/16 wide vent rib on the barrel. Trap receivers are not grooved, full round radius. the 52 will have machine matting up to the Duck bill ramp, the 63 will be bead blasted and "dull matt" finish.

The 1952 should have a 2 pin vent rib, (3 pin came out in 1959) the 1963 may have a 3 pin or the last style rib where the posts are straight on the sides and the front and back have a full radius.

Skeet/Deluxe Field stocks have about a 2 1/4in. DAH a straight Trap stock will have approx. 1 1/2in. DAH If it has a Monte Carlo butt stock, and Duck Bill ramp it's a Trap gun. side note: English Trap stocks have no pistol grip caps! LOL Trap guns have recoil pads.

Like I said the 3 pin rib came out about 1959/60 so if your 1952 gun has one it's not original to the gun. If your 63 has a 2 pin, I don't feel it would be original to that gun. However winchester had no inventory system, it is entirely possible that your 63 gun is original but with a barrel made before 1959. All 2 pin ribbes are machine matted with the "wavy line pattern". o either barrels also have an oval with just a P in it near the PW proof mark on the barrel?

Regards Dave

freddbear4

Just checked in to see if there were any more responses. I got the pins in then VR reversed. 52-3 63-2 . Thanks for all the input.