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winchester model 1912 shotgun value & options

beckaroosky
I submitted a bid for a winchester model 1912 - 12 gage, full choke with 30" barrel at a local estate sale, and wouldn't you know, I got it.
Serial # 112,xxx - it was mfg in 1915 according to winchester records.
It is in real good shape, stock and buttplate is fully intact, bluing is "fair" - (I don't know how to evalute in terms of %)
Question - any idea of a ball park value?
Also, would it be good idea to have the barrell shortened a bit a variable chokes installed? Or would this ruin the value?
Any input would be appreciated.[?]
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • only winchesters
    Welcome to the forum beckaroosky! DON'T cut the barrel!!! Very few guns left with the "Model 1912" around. If I recall correctly it was about 1918, Winchester changed it to Model 12. Any way. your gun should have a non-grooved receiver, completely round on top with a 1/4in matting down it. The forend should be the short one, with 14 grooves in it, ( changed to 18 grooves in 1919) The butt stock, should have a tiny pistol grip, and a long wrist. According to "Riffle" your gun was made early 1916. Madis wasn't that accurate with his serial numbers. So assuming that everything is original, $300-$500, to a person who is looking for the first style Md 1912, with the features I mentioned. If it has a Solid rib down the barrel, add $150. AGAIN don't cut the barrel or it wont be worth anything except for parts!! Regards Dave
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  • Bert H.
    Hello beckaroosky...

    I agree with Dave 110%... do NOT mess with the gun, cut the barrel, or have it refinished.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • beckaroosky
    Thanks for the info.
    Can you help me out with one more question?
    I assume guns of this vintage were chambered for 2-3/4" shells. The action will close on a 3" shell, but I don't think the results would be good if I tried to actually fire it - Do you have any thoughts?
    Thanks.



    quote:Originally posted by only winchesters
    Welcome to the forum beckaroosky! DON'T cut the barrel!!! Very few guns left with the "Model 1912" around. If I recall correctly it was about 1918, Winchester changed it to Model 12. Any way. your gun should have a non-grooved receiver, completely round on top with a 1/4in matting down it. The forend should be the short one, with 14 grooves in it, ( changed to 18 grooves in 1919) The butt stock, should have a tiny pistol grip, and a long wrist. According to "Riffle" your gun was made early 1916. Madis wasn't that accurate with his serial numbers. So assuming that everything is original, $300-$500, to a person who is looking for the first style Md 1912, with the features I mentioned. If it has a Solid rib down the barrel, add $150. AGAIN don't cut the barrel or it wont be worth anything except for parts!! Regards Dave
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  • duckhunter
    ONLY IF YOU WANT PROBLEMS BIG TIME

    I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by beckaroosky
    Thanks for the info.
    Can you help me out with one more question?
    I assume guns of this vintage were chambered for 2-3/4" shells. The action will close on a 3" shell, but I don't think the results would be good if I tried to actually fire it - Do you have any thoughts?
    Thanks.



    You are correct, your Model 1912 is chambered for a 2-3/4" shell. It will however chamber an unfired 3" shell... the problem arises when the 3" shell trys to open up in the short chamber. It will dramatically raise the chamber pressure, possibly bulge or ring the barrel, and for sure kick the snot right out of you. To step back a bit, I assume that you are unaware of how a shotshell's length is actually measured... the 2-3/4" length is how long it is after it has opened up upon firing. An unfired 3" shell is about 2-3/4" long before it is fired, which is why it will chamber with no apparent problems.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • only winchesters
    Been there and done that! Accidently of course, that's what happens when you don't get all your duck loads out of your hunting coat. No it didn't hurt my Md 12, just my cheek bone, it was bruised for a week.
    I can see this question coming, No you can't get it rechambered for 3 in. shells. When Winchester came out with the "Heavy Duck Gun, 3in chamber" they offered to convert any standard Md 12 to 3 in., the cost was about half of the price of a new Duck gun. This is what they did:
    1) New 3in chambered barrel
    2) New magazine band and Action slide
    3) New Duck barrel chamber ring
    4) rebuilt the trigger guard assy. and breech bolt
    5) New ejector
    6) Remachined the receiver, enlarging the recess on top of the receiver just behind the breech bolt, enlarged the opening of the receiver, where the breech bolt is.
    7) New weighted butt stock.

    So with all that said, you could probably still do that, but the cost would far exceed, buying a real decent Heavey Duck gun, and that's if you could locate all the parts. Regards Dave
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