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First year Model 12 in 12 gauge?

losmolosmo Member Posts: 13 ✭✭
edited January 2006 in Ask the Experts
Have a Model 12 Winchester pump, field, 30" full choke. I found in
the blue book a few years ago it was made in 1914 with a 5 digit
serial # 58xxx. A nearby gun broker told me it was the first year
the Model 12 came in 12 gauge but I am unable to verify this. Wouldn't this have been a 2 1/2" shell rather than the 2 3/4" I
shoot? Any comments please.
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Comments

  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,046 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    all m-12 12ga. shotguns had 2 3/4" chambers (until the 3" duck gun).
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  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with Mike, and will add that your gun should be a "Model 1912". Serial number 58,xxx was manufactured in mid 1914. Both the 12 and 16 gauge guns were first introduced in the 1914 catalog, but they were actually available in late 1913. Winchester never chambered a 12 gauge shotgun for a 2-1/2-inch shell that I am aware of. Both the Model 1887 lever action and Model 1893 slide action guns were chambered for a 2-5/8-inch 12 gauge shell. The early Model 1912 20 gauge guns were chambered for a 2-1/2-inch shell though.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

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  • profesor01profesor01 Member Posts: 53 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    the 2 1/2" 12ga wasnt a production chamber i have a win mod 12 made in 1914 it has 30" barrel full choke 2 3/4" chamber
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  • gunut 1gunut 1 Member Posts: 359 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    with the relatively early serial number your 1912 should show all or most of the early features....round top receiver, no mag-tube/rec extension alignment arrows, 14 groove forend...
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  • temblortemblor Member Posts: 2,153 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What Bert H. said.......................[8D]
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  • losmolosmo Member Posts: 13 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the info. Only thing from original on this piece is it has an Ivory front bead instead of brass and a rubber butt plate, and was re-blued sometime before I was born. Still about 75% though.
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  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by losmo
    Thanks for the info. Only thing from original on this piece is it has an Ivory front bead instead of brass and a rubber butt plate, and was re-blued sometime before I was born. Still about 75% though.


    Reblued = 0% graded condition. The after market front bead and recoil pad further reduce the originality and value. Essentially, you have a $250 shooter.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

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  • SCOUT5SCOUT5 Member Posts: 16,181 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A friend of mine has a model 12 in 16GA and his dad had the gun modified so he could use 2 3/4" shells. Of course now he regrets having it modified but at the time it made sense.


    Scout
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