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Winchester model 12

gunslinger57
Looking for a model 12 in 20ga. or 12ga. made in 1953. What ser. # range would I be looking for?
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8 comments

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  • gunslinger57
    I purchased a 20ga. today. It needs a little restoration to make it a respectable quail gun. However when I got home with her, I thought I knew how to break the gun down(it is a take down model). Igot it apart but can't seem to get her back togather! Can someone help? Does the bolt need to be forward as in closed?[:(]
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  • gunslinger57
    Would this be the Skeet model? Whats the difference in Win. milled VR and Win. special VR ? offset barrel proof mark?
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  • rimfire72
    WS-1 is Winchester skeet bbl. Proof steel was used on the later models(can't remember the year of change). Is the rib factory or was it put on later? The reblueing will detract from value,but a factory skeet gun will still go high. One of the Winchester guys should be along shortly ,they can help you a lot more. Sounds like a nice gun.

    buycoolshirts_1825_31216154.jpg
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  • gunslinger57
    quote:Originally posted by rimfire72
    WS-1 is Winchester skeet bbl. Proof steel was used on the later models(can't remember the year of change). Is the rib factory or was it put on later? The reblueing will detract from value,but a factory skeet gun will still go high. One of the Winchester guys should be along shortly ,they can help you a lot more. Sounds like a nice gun.

    buycoolshirts_1825_31216154.jpg
    Don't know if VR is factory? How can you tell? Thanks for info.
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  • gunslinger57
    Does it have to have off-set proof mark to be factory VR?
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  • duckhunter
    Round posts or oval posts on the rib?? Any printing on the side of the rib?? Will be very small.

    I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.
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  • only winchesters
    Hello gunslinger57: Well first of WS-1 stands for Winchester Skeet choke 1 They also had WS-2 this is the rarest barrel, (WS-2) A WS-1 choke is about half way between Cylinder Choke and Imp/Cyl choke. A WS-2 choke is about half way between Imp/Cyl and Modified. Md 12 Skeet guns first appeared in 1933, they are all stamped "Winchester Proof Steel" Stainless Steel and Nickle Steel barrels were discountined about 1930.

    Since you say the rib has "Simmons" on it, and your gun is a 1960 vintage, this gun was sent to the Simmons Gun Repair Company, sometime after 1964. In 1953, Winchester and Simmons worked together for a inexpensive vent rib. Simmons came up with the famous "Donut Post" and later Cylinder Post, rib. These ribs were put on by Simmons when the gun was in the "white" (prior to blueing). Then returned to Winchester for final assy. and blue. They first appeared in 1954 and were last offered in 1958. These ribs have no mention of Simmons. The side of the rib is not stamped. Also you will see an oval with a WP on the left side of the rib as you look down the barrel from the receiver, they would stamp the receiver and barrel. WP= Winchester Proof.

    Now since the WS-1 choke is a little more open than Imp/Cyl, it makes an excellent quail gun. Where quail hunting is real popular, quail hunters often ordered standard field grade guns with a WS-1 choke. Since you say you have standard stocks, I suspect this gun left Winchester as a standard field gun with a WS-1 barrel. Like I said earlier a previous owner sent it to Simmons for a vent rib, they also reblue the gun when installing a rib.

    Now what's it worth? Well the Simmons rib doesn't really add value, and on just about all other Md 12s with chokes other than WS-1, it hurts the value. (the only real exception would be the 28ga.) Anyway, on any given day and depending on how you would market it, newspapper, internet, gun publication etc. it will bring a minimum of $500. and maybe into the low $1000s . This gun is now a classic shooter, not much as far as a collectible, (reblued and non-factory rib) I think I answered all your questions. Regards Dave

    Also prior to 1954, Field grade guns came in either plain barrels, or with a Solid rib. Vent Ribs came on Skeet, Trap, and can be found on most Pigeon grade guns. Winchester first came out with a "2 Pin" rib around 1920, available on Trap, Black Diamond, and Pigeon grade guns, later Skeet guns in 1933. If you look at the rib support closest to the magazine band, you will actually see two little pins, these hold the rib in place on the barrel. About 1959/60 it went to 3 pins. By 1962, the last style rib was used simalar to todays Simmons rib.
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  • gunslinger57
    Dang! What a Winchester wizz! I appreciate the info. From what you said it doesn't have a WP on barrel or reciever. Actually the rib is raised and goes half way back on reciever. It only has 2 pins back towards reciever. The posts are oval. It has no off set proof mark; so i guess rib covered it up. On the left side of rib it says (Simmons gun specialties inc. Kansas City, Mo.). Serial #'s match. 1960 model.
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