16ga.com ~ View topic - I bought a Model 12 Friday, sixteen gauge of course

Joined: 03 Jul 2005 Posts: 370 Location: Amarillo, Texas

It is in well used original condition. It has very little blue left on the barrel or the action. The wood is out of finish also. But other than that is in very good shape. I ran 5 shells through it and it operated flawlessly. The spring that works the bottom action cover seems to be weak. I bought it on impulse. It has 28" barrels and weighs about 6-1/2 pounds. I don't know the serial number or the choke. I just loved opening and closing it - the action is smooth as glass. I will post pictures and serial number later - it is still at the gun store. I was on my way out of town to go hunting and stopped in there for a little business and saw it on the rack - didn't have time to fill out the form. I paid $175 for it.

Best!

Mike

Member Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 781

Sounds perfect, a little tlc and it will be your best friend.

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3438 Location: Illinois

Good enough to use for a hunter Twisted Evil

Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 787 Location: Indiana

It should serve you very well; they make outstanding pheasant or sharptail guns. With a 28" barrel, I'll bet it's a mod or full choke. Sounds like the price was right!

Joined: 03 Jul 2005 Posts: 370 Location: Amarillo, Texas

Just picked it up Panhandle Gun Slingers. I got the bore gauge out - it is 0.670" bore diameter and choked 29/1000th and marked full. That will have to be worked on. Right on the money WolfChief.

It is marked for 2-3/4" shells.

Serial number is 594900. Does anyone know about when it was made. Several patent dates are listed on the barrel. The oldest is July 21 1896 and the newest is July 22, 1913. I don't know if the barrels are orignal to the gun or how to tell.

I didn't notice when I bought it but the stock has at the very least had the pitch changed and a recoil pad added - amatuer job. LOP is 14.

What I think is cool about the gun is that it appears to have been used a lot AND well cared for. The bores aren't rusty. The action or the barrels aren't rusty. Somebody just used it for year and years and took care of it. It feels good when I throw it up. Might make a nice 1oz dove gun as is. Jeff and HOA and WC thanks for the cheers!

Mike

Member Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 989 Location: Las Vegas

I love the looks of the Mod. 12 and the Mod. 37. However, I could never get comfortable with a pump gun. Pump with the left hand, pull the trigger with the right hand. What do you do if you're chewing gum at the same time?

matt

Congrats AmarilloMike

And if you ever go across the boarder into New Mexico to hunt quail and dove that ol Model 12 will get the job;

Done that one many times myself.

Welcome to the 'Worshipful Society of Winchester M-12s' Cool

ioannes

Member Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 398 Location: S Fl

By the Blue Book, the serial no puts it in 1929.

Pete

Joined: 03 Jul 2005 Posts: 370 Location: Amarillo, Texas

Hey Matt - the one time I shot a pump it was at bobwhites. I had forgotten my gun. It might as well have been a single shot. I am with you on the looks.

ioannes thanks. I bet I will miss some dove with it. I would probably have to have the choke opened for quail (in order miss them in a proper manner).

Pete thanks for the date of manufacture. It is older than i guessed. Made during the year of the crash. I bet it has been on lots of hunts all over the country.

Mike

Yeah, but I'll bet you've not tried to pump the forend of a Reminton LT-20 Autoloader like I did recently. The guys at the club just fell out on this one. Rolling Eyes

Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 219 Location: Sussex Wisconsin

I think you have one of the rarer versions of the model 12...between 1927 and 1930 winchester made the small gauge [16 20] nickle steel model 12s marked with a 2 3/4in chamber...B4 1927 the small gauge guns had short chambers...and in 1931 they started using proof steel instead of the nickle steel.....so small gauge model 12s made from 27 through 30 have both nickle steel barrels and are marked for 2 3/4in shells....these guns a more desired by collectors than earlier ones or later ones.....GOOD FIND...MIGHT BE WORTH RESTORING....

Joined: 03 Jul 2005 Posts: 370 Location: Amarillo, Texas

Hey Gunnut - The barrels are marked "Nickel Steel". Cool

Thanks for the information - that is very interesting and I was surprised to see it marked for 2-3/4".

Britgun I have always admired the old pump guns and it is well balanced and light. I weighed it - 6lbs -9oz.

Thanks!
Mike