Winchester M-12 .20ga SKEET

VGUN1

When was the first year a .20ga skeet was made; and was it marked something other than WS-1? "Thanks" VGUN1

Bert H.

The Model 12 Skeet Gun was authorized November 17th, 1933, with a solid matted rib. The Model 12 Skeet Gun with a plain barrel was introduced January 20th, 1937, but was not cataloged until 1938. It was available in 12, 16, and 20 gauge from inception.

The catalog symbols were G128 2S (26" matted Rib) or G1238S (26" Plain Barrel). The Choke marking was either WS-1 or WS-2.

only winchesters

Hello VGun1: In addition to what Bert has listed, the 30s vintage skeet guns will have the word SKEET stamped below the S/N on the receiver.

Regards Dave

eastbank

hey bert i need your help, i just got four familey guns and would like some info on them.( year made, approximent value). one, a model 12 16ga. solid rib with a 26 inch barrel,mod. ck. serial #154xxx in very good con. two, model 12 ga. standerd trap marked,32 inch full ck.barrel with two ivory beads,checkering,grip cap,red winchester recoil pad, top of reciever has two non-factory tap holes for a nayder sight. in over all very good con. serial #739xxx. three, a model 12 skeet 12ga. solid rib with a 22 inch barrel with a cutts comp. added on bringing total barrel lengh to 28,checkered wood,grip cap non-winchester pad (maybe a replacement for a winchester pad that went bad). barrel is marked WS-1,under serial # it is marked skeet. serial # is 864xxx.con. is good to very good. four, a model 12, 12 ga. 3 inch mag. 30 inch plain barrel,red winchester recoil pad. in ex used con. serial #1615xxx. thank you, eastbank.

VGUN1

"Thanks" Bert and Dave for the information. I appreciate it. VGUN1

only winchesters

Hello Vgun1 and eastbank: Your welcome eastbank, I should have added this morning, if your gun doesn't have checkered stocks, and is not stamped "SKEET" below the serial number, (for 30s to mid 40s vintage), what you have is a speecial order field gun with a WS-1 barrel. This was popular in "quail country"!!

Eastbank, I'll start with your 16ga.

MODEL 1912 16 ga Solid Rib, Mod choke, 26in barrel, this gun has potential!! It left the factory in 1917 with a 2 9/16th chamber. If it still original, not reblued,, perch belly stock, and not opened up to 2 3/4in. It could sell between $500-$750, that's the best I can do without pictures or seeing it.

The 32in "Standard Trap with a 32 in. barrel, is on the rare side, most Standard Traps have a 28 or 30in barrel. This 1937 gun, even with the 2 drill and tapped holes, could sell in the range of $600-$1000, defineately more in b parts, the barrel and receiver extension is worth $500, stocks $275-$400. again it's hard to get much closer without pictures or seeing it.
The Md 12 Skeet, with a non factory pad, and the fact that someone cutt the barrel and added a Cutts, greatly reduced it's value. This 1941 gun does have potential, it could be truned into a Deluxe field gun or if you could find a WS-1 or WS-2 barrel in the 1941-1948 range, it could be restored. As to the aftermarket pad, it can be replaced with a correct period pad. But as the gun sits right now about $450-$550.

The Md 12 Duck gun , this early 1955 gun could have the "flat bottom" or extended forearm? Flat bottoms bring a little more simply because the extended forearms are prone to chip at the rear. Assuming the "FULL" choke hasn't been opened up, (many have been since steel shot came out 30 years ago, do the "dime test") If you can drop a dime down the barrel at the muzzle, the choke has been opened up, then you have about a $400 shooter. If the choke is still good, about $500-$700.

Again value can be subjective. Lots of ways to sell a gun from word of mouth, local newspaper, national publication, internet such as GB here. The more people you reach the better off you are in trying to get top dollar.

If you'd like to send pictures, my email is winchester12@msn.com

Regards Dave

eastbank

thanks dave, as they are not going to be sold,i just wanted to know a ball park figure. and thanks again,eastbank.

Old Gunny

I have a Model 12- a 28 ga. with 28" barrel, factory solid rib, serial no. range 900,000 (1940?)choke is marked WS-2- I borrowed a friend's book on the Model 12-written by area Gun Dealer D. Riffle- Mine is somewhat like the one shown on pages 90 & 91- except mine is NOT engraved and mine has the Pigeon on the magazine tube extension, but it is not marked SKEET behind the matching serial no. stamped on the receiver. The stock does have the Black Diamond insets, but it looks more like the stock as shown on page 80 of that same book. I was shooting skeet with it at a DU Sponsor event last summer, and a "kibitzer" told me it wasn't a "true M12 Skeet gun" and also said that all of those had a WS-1 choke marking, not a WS-2. A relative bought it for quail and dove hunting, I've had it since 1975 and have shot "bow-coup" quail and doves with it, so it shows "wear with care" but as I am NOT a real clays shooter, I guess the fact that it is not a real M12 Skeet gun is OK. Can you shed any light on this for me. Thank You