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Winchester Model 12 - 12 gauge

backcountry04
Im trying to confirm a ball park value for my Winchester Model 12 - 12 Gauge... My serial is: 520xxx...

Thanks..
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9 comments

Date Votes
  • backcountry04
    My dad recently gave me my grandpa's Model 12 12 guage. I would like to use it to get involved in shooting and bird hunting for the first time. In about five years, I'd like to know enough to introduce my son to the sport.

    Before I start carrying grandpa's gun around the woods and shooting it at the range, I thought I should learn a little about its history in case I would rather just leave it on display as a family heirloom.

    I have no idea where to begin. Would someone be so kind as to let me know what useful information I could provide on this forum to get some history on the gun? Thanks in advance!
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    Welcome to the Ask the Experts Forum: First lets start with a Serial Number, so that We might ascertain the Age of Your Model 12...So that you can keep the Serial Number Safe...Use an 'X' for the last several numbers....or if You Wish You can email Me the complete Serial Number and I'll delete the Number from My Files when I send you the Year of Manufacture...Give a complete and total discription of this Shotgun....or Post a Photo on the Web....I/We will do our level best to give You as precice and level evaluation as possible......best......

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
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  • backcountry04
    I will try to post a picture later, but here are the details:

    SN = 3927XX (It is stamped on the bottom of the trigger housing/action and the barrel)

    Also stamped on the barrel are: "NICKELSTEEL-WINCHESTER-MOD. 12-12 GA. FULL" and "MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT. U.S.A. PAT. JULY 21, 1896, FEB. 22, JUNE 14, 1898, SEPT. 7, 1909, MAY 17, 24, 31, JUNE 7, 14, 28, JULY 5, 12, 1910, JULY 22, 1913."

    It has a 23.5 inch barrel and the stock is either 28 inches or 30 inches depending upon whether you measure the rubber end or just the wood.

    Please take this from someone who knows nothing about appraising firearms, but the steel looks to be in excellent condition with no noticeable imperfections. Same with the wood which still has the shiny finish, but is a little darker around the grip. The grip on the stock is formed in a way to contour to the hand.

    Thanks again.
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  • MIKE WISKEY
    TO PROPERLY MEASURE THE BARREL LENGHT INSERT A DOWEL INTO THE BARREL WITH THE ACTION CLOSED, MEARSURE THIS LENGHT (SOUNDS LIKE A 26" BARREL. CHOKE SHOULD BE MARKED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BARREL JUST AHEAD OF THE RECEIVER. ONE WORD OF CAUTION, THIS SHOTGUN DOES NOT HAVE A DISCONNECT; IF YOU HOLD THE TRIGGER BACK AND PUMP THE FOREND IT WILL FIRE AS SOON AS THE BOLT LOCKS. THIS IS THE NATURE OF THE BEASTE AND NOT NESESSARILY DANGEROUS, JUST SOMETHING TO BE AWARE OF.
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    MODEL 12 Winchester Serial Number 3927XX was produced in 1925..
    The Production Run for 1925 Started at 383395 and Ended at 421254....Have to have a couple on Photos and Measurements to proceed further...

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
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  • Hangfire
    You should also remeasure the Buttstock. I can't imagine one 28-30 inches long[8D]

    Also look at the back of the recoil pad[rubber end] and see if it says Winchester.

    Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob

    Dave and airborne- Did an edit to keep under the 10 post death knell[8D]Wasn't the M.25 the "solid Frame M.12"?

    Quote-Just some trivia. Regards Dave (Thanks Hangfire, I just learned how to edit!!)End quote
    Thank you Dave.....I always seem to learn just enough to get me in trouble!!!![8D][8D]
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  • 101AIRBORNE
    Would this not be a takedown-serial number on both the receiver
    and barrel? Also, not addressed was whether the barrel had a rib.
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  • only winchesters
    101Airborne: All Md 12s are take down, no such animal as a solid frame Md 12. (Md 1897/97 only had both solid and take down) Even the Feather Weights you could remove the barrel. Yes you are correct this gun could have a Solid Rib on it. It could also have an after market Vent Rib. We wont know until Backcountry gets back to us. Regards Dave
    Hangfire: Well some people refer to the Model 25 as a Solid Frame Md 12. Lots of parts were interchangeable, Stocks, bolt parts, triggerguard assy. But it was a MODEL 25, not a Md 12. It had a short life of 5 years or so. 1949-1954, then the Md 12 Feather weight came out, in 1959-1962 with quite a few simalarites as the Md 25, both receivers had flat sides, where the Md 12 had the forward and aft raised edges.

    Just some trivia. Regards Dave (Thanks Hangfire, I just learned how to edit!!)
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  • 101AIRBORNE
    Dave,
    Brain dead today. Thinking of the 97. 101
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