16 ga chamber length - Model 12 Win

SpringCreekTradeCo

Anybody know the serial number where winchester started making 2 3/4 in chamber length for 16 ga vs 2 9/16 in the early ones?

B_Mc

I am not sure about the serial number but 2 3/4 became standard 1927. I am pretty sure. Here is a web site that might help
http://books.google.com/books?id=T-Irz4qHwsQC&pg=PA70&lpg=PA70&dq=winchester+2+"9+16"+chambered&source=web&ots=-Y7PRyi5N9&sig=BV5xecxTKO8GvatIQtDlhXrjO8k&GBYPASS=5BAAC170830DBB301F66DE41E4A986401201022667

SpringCreekTradeCo

Appreciate the help! Thanks!

Old-Colts

B_Mc is correct; 1927 is the year that Winchester announced they were changing 16 and 20 gauge Model 12's from 2 9/16 and 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 inch chambers. The change would have taken place somewhere around serial number 464,565 according to Dave Riffle's book on the Model 12.

koolkiller6 - I would assume the change for the Model 1897 would be during the same year as the Model 12, but I don't have any reference for that or the approximate serial number at which the change took place.

koolkiller6

How about 1897 16 ga ?

only winchesters

Hello everyone: The 97 16ga. wasn't changed until 1931.

After Winchester made the switch on the 20 & 16ga. Md 12, they offered to open up early guns to 2 3/4in. They did stamp the barrel 2 3/4. sometime the just below the S/N on the receiver too. Of course many a gunsmith opened them up too!

The two front corner radius' went from 1/4 in. to 3/8 in. very easy to look at the ejection port to see if it's been "modified" on a early gun.

Regards Dave