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Verifying the age of a gun?

kaards
I have a Winchester Model 12 - 12 Gauge Shotgun that originally belonged to my great grandfather. How can I tell how old this gun is? It has several Patent dates on the barrell but they have a wide range.

Any help would be appreciated.
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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • Hawk Carse
    The serial number on the bottom of the receiver and barrel extension can be tracked to the year made, or very close.

    The patent dates mean only that the gun was made after the last patent was issued. Often LONG after the patent was issued. Colt and several replica companies still mark Single Action Army revolvers with 1873 patent dates.
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  • He Dog
    Post the serial number here and BertH can give you the year of manufacture.
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  • kaards
    quote:Originally posted by He Dog
    Post the serial number here and BertH can give you the year of manufacture.


    Thank You. I found it, it was a 1927 serial #.
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  • He Dog
    Actually that may not be correct. Madis, for example has incorrect dates in his publications, and many other publications which derive from his are equally incorrect. Bert has access to more recently available information and much more accurate dates.
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