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choke markings on model 12 winchesters

onfyre
could anyone explain why there seem to be 2 different skeet choke markings on model 12s. the usual ws-1 and the other marked skeet
thanks in advance for any help. onfyre
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • Bert H.
    The early Skeet Guns were marked "SKEET", but in later years, Winchester developed a second (different restriction size) skeet choke, and at that time began designating them "WS-1" and "WS-2". I believe that the "WS-1" and "SKEET" are identical choke restriction. The WS-2 is a tighter choke restriction than the WS-1, but it is not as tight as a Modified (MOD) choke.
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  • GuvamintCheese
    His gun is marked Skeet and WS-1 so its not an early gun (pre-1935ish). The Skeet was a grade designation not a choke designation, right?
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by cartod
    His gun is marked Skeet and WS-1 so its not an early gun (pre-1935ish). The Skeet was a grade designation not a choke designation, right?


    Yes, in this case, the "SKEET" marking is the grade designation, and the "WS-1" is the choke marking. That said, the question posed by onfyre led me to believe that he was asking about two different guns... one maked "WS-1" and another marked "SKEET". If my interpretation of his question is correct, then my previous answer is also correct. In the early years (before the WS-2 choke), I seem to remember that Winchester marked the choke "SKEET" versus "WS-1". When the "WS-2" choke was created (and offered), Winchester then began using the "WS-1" designation to clearly differentiate it from the new "WS-2". Prior to that time (when justy one skeet choke constriction was offered), they marked them "SKEET".
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  • bobski
    M12 28ga and 410(M42) were marked SKEET on the bbls.
    M12's in 12, 16, and 20ga were marked WS-1 if they were choked skeet.
    if a 12ga, 16ga, or 20ga M12 has a 'skeet' marking on the bbl, odds are it was rechoked and marked other than the factory. a grade of gun marked skeet, will be marked SKEET under the serial number.
    simmons bbl company has (to this day) a habit of messing that up on their upgrades. it probably has to do with the 20% pat. pend. infringment rule.
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  • onfyre
    i should have made my question more clear. i understand skeet is a grade of mdl 12 i was referring to the bbl marking. i have a 20skeet gun marked skeet not ws-1. the bbl is factory winchester mdl 12. i have never seen this on any other 20ga, only like the one responder said mdl 12 28ga and mdl 42. once again thanks for your help. onfyre
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  • GuvamintCheese
    Winchester spent alot of time developing chokes, around 1935 they began offering Improved Modified and Improved Cylinder chokes. WS-1 and WS-2 were also tested and developed in 1935. Skeet grade guns usually have the "SKEET" designation under the serial no. Skeet choked guns are pre ws-1&2 chokes, and are marked "skeet" on the barrel. So if your gun has the designation of "skeet" on the barrel, than it was made prior to 1935....In other words, what Bert said.

    I misread your 1st post and thought you had a skeet grade gun with a ws-1 choke....which would be typical after 1935.
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