Hey everyone.

I am trying to find a Good Shotgun Forum, but so far, no luck.

I figured I would try here first since I am already a member and we have fans of anything that shoots.

I have a Winchester model 12 20 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun.

It has a 1059XXX Serial number which dates it to 1946.

For a gun that old, and that has definitely been used as intended, it looks alright. Better than I will at that age :-)

Anyway, I have attached some pics, and was hoping someone could tell me the value. I may put it up for sale to finance a 1911 I have my eye on. It's just going to sit in my safe as I have other shotguns that I use. I want it to go to someone who will appreciate it.

Anyway, here are some pics, please tell me what you think I could realistically get for it on Gun Broker, or in a Want-Ad type deal.

Thanks:

The Light is hitting the receiver funny in this one. It's not all dulled out like it looks

Check competed auctions and sales on GB to see how much guns like it have actually sold for.

Somewhat a SWAG in the SC area - $450-$600

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TOMBECK

I'm no shotgun pro, but I have been trying to sell a model 12 for a while now and so have been observing them. I would say that although 20 gauges bring a premium, yours has some wear, and a butt pad added. Those things are going to turn off collectors. The one I have been trying to sell is a 12 gauge plain field grade, but it's in great shape. I have been trying to get at least $450 for mine with no takers so far. I would say you will be lucky to get $300 to $350 for it based on my experience. At least here in NW Ohio. There seem to be a lot of those around!

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Member MVGCA, OGCA, NRA Life

Haven't seen 20 gauges on there as old as mine.

I'll look again.

One other thing I'd like to add, is that Model 12s are really well made, practically hand made, and if there was anyone who could make them like that anymore they'd cost thousands, so don't sell it too cheap!

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Member MVGCA, OGCA, NRA Life

In your guns condition say about $350/$375. Interest in Mdl. 12's and Browning A5's have waned. Mdl. 12's are not steel shot compatible.

BTW...A 20 ga mdl. 12 and a 20 ga. A5 are my favorite dove guns.

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S&W Accumulator

$300 to $350 locally.

Every thing that MajorDude said.

Two years ago, I tried to sell my Model 12 in 20ga. I think it was a 1950 ?? and had a lot of miles on it plus a little salt water here & there. It was in about the same shape as your picture. Couldn't get rid of it for $300. Local Gun Shop would not take it. Said he could not sell it for enough to make any money.
Finally, wound up giving it to the neighbor's son in trade for mowing my lawn for a season. I know that's not good news but old utility grade shot guns don't seen to bring much in the way of real dollars. Best of luck with it.

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'I know nothing'.. Sgt. Shultz

It's good to know. I don't have anything into it, just space in my safe. I'll see what I can get for it.

It's a quality piece, so I have a price in my mind that I would not go below, where I would just keep it. I may also see if I can trade it for something if I have to go down that path as well.

This information does help.

Thanks!

It's a wonderful gun with character that appeals to me. I would hazard a guess that someone like me--but with money to spend--who appreciates it would give you more than $350 for sure.

I'm also a huge fan of the Browning Light Twenty A-5. I foolishly sold mine in my drinking days.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I think that the posters so far have missed the fact that this gun has a solid rib which increases the value, and the butt stock and the fore end don't match. The butt stock looks like a deluxe as was found on skeet guns, but the fore end wood is field grade. What choke is marked on the left side of the barrel at the breech, and do the frame and barrel extension serial numbers match?
I am a big fan of the 20 ga M12, and have an early one from around 1914 which is the only gun I have ever managed to shoot 5 wild quail on a covey rise with.

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Tom
1560

Yes it is a solid rib on the top of the gun. The rib is not,repeat not a separate piece pinned to the frame, but it is, as you indicated all the same milled piece.

The serial number of the barrel matches the serial number of the receiver. They are marked on each piece, and are right next to each other on the bottom side of the gun.

Let me see what it says on the choke. It's locked up, but I'll go look.

Edit - full choke.

It would probably help if I knew the barrel length and how the gun is choked. If it's choked modified, or even improved, it'd make a good dove and quail gun down here in the South. And rabbits...can't forget rabbit hunting with beagles down here in Dixie. Look on the left side of the barrel, below the 2-3/4 Chamber marking and see what it says...CYL, MOD, IMP, or less likely, FULL. It's a good bit lighter than a Model 12 in 12-gauge, and if the checkering on the stock is in decent shape, it'll help the value.

But still, with the condition it's in (that I can tell from the photos) $600 would be tops for me.

And frankly, sale price can depend a lot on your location, and demographics can even come into play. A lot of Old Timers like me (there's those demographics I mentioned) would rather have a used Model 12 than a new Mossberg or Remington.

The recoil pad lessens the value for me, but then again, a father may have had that put on for his son, you know? Just breaking him in for shotgun work. Or even his wife or daughter, who knows?

But since I don't know that info, I'll go out on a limb and say $550 max...no, someone might give $600 for it, but that's as far as I'd go. Matter of fact, more I think about it, if I wanted another Model 12, I'd give $600 including tax and out the door, and I don't even hunt any more.

You'd still have a good ways to go towards that 1911, but you won't have any trouble selling the Model 12. Selling it on an auction site might not be too good of an idea. You'd be starting out with what's basically a low value gun. Fees and paperwork will cut into your net profit. I'd try selling it face to face, even at a gun show. Or try selling it here on this forum. No fees for you, no tax...just a sale and probably shipping charges.

Good luck with it.

EDIT: I just noticed you said it is choked FULL. Is that a 28-inch or 30-inch barrel?

Thanks Watchdog, it is a full choke.

I'll measure the barrel. Didn't even think of that.

Back to the safe!

Tom,

If $300-350 is all anyone on here thinks a solid rib Model 12 20 gauge is worth, please PM me. I'll buy all I can handle.


Tom,

shoot me a PM if you are going to sell that gun, I like it. The only real detraction I see (besides the finish loss) is the non factory checkering on the butt stock.

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

A year ago before I retired and moved from STL, Mo. I bought 2 model 12's, both in 12 gauge and at a gun shop. I gave about $175 for a field grade made in 1927 that is rock solid but has wear like yours. I also bought a 90-95% Model 12 HD 3" Duck for $252'ish.

I love Model 12's and had quite a few some years ago. What I now see is the Model 12 has fallen on hard times, young folks don't care about the history or 100 year appeal of the gun. They want a cheap priced shotgun, think Maverick, or a nicer automatic.

I see a few overpriced ones at gun shows in the $400 range but they never sell.

Nothing personal, but the gun has one redeeming factor, the solid rib. Being a full choke it was a hunting gun rather than a skeet gun, which is good, less use, the BBL should be 25".

I currently do not own one in 20 gauge, that's my fault, I sold one like yours after I bought a Benelli Super Black Eagle thing. I do miss it, it was light and deadly on doves.

Your best bet to sell this one may be to decide on what you want and list it here.

Given equal condition a 20 ga md 12 will sell for more than a 12 or
16 ga. Your wood has been refinished, checkered and had a pad added.
On a shooter grade md 12 these things won't hurt the value. The
finish looks original and with matching numbers and the solid rib I
think it would easily bring $550 on GB.

Tom,
Mike SC Hunter has pretty well give you the most accurate price per current market value, unless you just happen across someone who is looking for a pre 50' 20ga Model 12.
I own four M12's and with the light pitting and low level of blue I too feel it would be in the $350-375.00 range.
I have a 62' 12ga NIB, apples and oranges, valued at $1500.00.
I like your gun, 12's are becoming harder to find daily, if you have children or grandchildren I would pass it down brother?
You can find a better way to save for the 1911, which is the best hand gun ever produced, period!
Shoot Straight!