Winchester Model 12 holding value?

Flinthills

I have a Winchester Model 12, 12 ga shotgun. It was built in 1959 and is the standard gun. From reading the post here and talking with others I believe the value of the gun is in the $400-$500 range. It is in excellent condition, it has only been fired a few times in the last 25 years and previous to that it could not have been used much at all from it's condition.
My question is not the value of this particular gun as much as the market for the Model 12. I have been told by some that the gun was worth more 10 years ago because that is the time that people familiar with it were the most interested and that the market interest has, and will continue to diminish. I would like the opinion of those or you who know much more about these types of issues than myself.
Thanks for your help.

bobski

tell us what length bbl and choke it has.

Flinthills

Full Choke, 28 7/8 from end of barrel to front of the reciever.

Old hickory

It has diminished for a common model 12 which yours is but in good condition it will certainly hold its own. People who shoot a model 12 usually love them. The fact is that most kids don't get a chance to fire one. They see a Benelli or Beretta Auto as perfect for the kind of shooting most people are doing (home defense, sporting clays, deer, etc) and they love screw in chokes. I'm 56 and grew up with M-12s allover the place and in every day use. I love them and have some great ones but when I go in the field it's usually with a Beretta or Winchester O/U. Things do go in cycles and I have great faith that the M-12 will always be valued and grow slowly with inflation. Single actions were pretty dead in the 1970's and look at them now. ALso .45 ACP s looked like the 9m/m would bury them and now everyone makes one. Theres no substitute for quality and good design.

freddbear4

I agree with Old Hickorys last sentence. You can't find a modern day pump action shotgun that comes close to the quality and craftsmanship. Keep it and enjoy it, it will maintain its value and if the public does not want to pay for quality, "let em hunt with junk"

only winchesters

Good morning Flinthills, welcome to the forum! First you have the "standard field grade" Md 12 12ga. and it's in the most common configuration! (30 in. barrel Full Choke, proper way to measure is action closed, from the from of the bolt to the end of the muzzle).

Many things go into deterimining what the value is, vintage, condition, barrel length, choke etc.

"Value holding" well it is worth less today than 10 years ago. Maybe even 20 years ago! What's changed in the last 10 years? the INTERNET!! On any given day I can go 50 guns just like yours! Before the internet, I might be able to find a half dozen between local gunshops, news paper or national publication such as the Gun List and Shotgun News.

If your gun was still New In the Box it would have a value of over $1000 because that's what they are going for period! You have a very late gun, and they simply just are not selling for what a early Nickel Steel gun, or pre-war gun, or pre 1953 gun does.

Now when you start getting into "rare configurations" such as one with a 26 or 28 in. Imp/Cyl choke the same vintage as yours , $200-$400 more valuble! 26in. Mod. choke about $100-$200 more valueable than your gun.

Factory options such as a Solid rib, the Winchester Special Ventilated rib, can add can add $100s of dollars. If yours had a solid rib, it could sell in the range of $500-$700. If it had a "Special Vent Rib", $1200-$1500 because these two are rarer than what you have. If your stock has had an aftermarket recoil pad put on it, $400-$450 tops!

Don't get me wrong you have a nice gun, but it's common. Because of that it's also the least desired by Winchester Md 12 lovers.

I can tell you this with every year that passes, there are less and less original guns regardless of condition. Will it be worth more in 10 years YES! Will the "increase" in value keep up with inflation? Maybe. But in reality No! Your gun sold new anywhere from $109 to $129. depending on the gun shop. Which means in the last 50 years it has only gone up in value about 4 times. They same $110. in the bank at 5% for 50 years compounded daily, about $1600. (it doubles about every 12 years). But you would have had to pay some "income tax" along they way, as well as you can't shoot birds with money in the bank, LOL.

Use it, but take great care of it!

Regards Dave

Old-Colts

I still use two Winchester Model 12's as my primary bird hunting guns. Both are standard field grade 16 gauge guns in about 98% overall condition with one having a 26 inch modified choke barrel and made in 1941 while the other has a 28 inch full choke barrel and it was made in 1940. I take reasonable precautions to protect and care for these old guns and don't hunt them on rainy days, but I do hunt them every chance I get. If you just have it for its collector value, then stick it away and let it appreciate or sell it to take advantage of its current value, but if you enjoy shooting a quality pump shotgun then take care of it, hunt it, and enjoy it.

Flinthills

Thanks to all for the info! It is a very nice model 12 and being a great example of American craftsmanship is more than enough reason for me to keep it around. Even if I don't use it much. I will try to post some detailed pictures in the future for more of an opinion on this particular gun.
The forum is very friendly and helpful, I've already told my brother about it and I'm sure he will be a memeber soon!
Thanks again!