Winchester Model 12

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rchall

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Would like to know what one could probably expect to pay these days for a Winchester Model 12 20 gauge. 28 inch barrel with a solid rib in around 90% original factory condition. 1936 manufacture date. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
 
In this area they seem to be dropping. Those old enough to appreciate them, especially the 20 gauge, are themselves divesting. Those with spending money are buying newer selfloaders or the cheaper pumps.

The last several I saw go were all under $1000, most under $700.

Are you selling or buying?

Kevin
 
Looking to buy, but with the price the seller is asking I will probably pass on it. He doesn’t seem to want to come off his asking too far and I don’t see putting into it what makes me uncomfortable.
 
How is the Choke? If choked IC or Mod, it will bring a little more than a Full choke. Thew would be fine on a skeet range or upland birds. I had a light weight Mod 12 with IC 26" barrel and it sold for $475 (due to a fine hairline crack in the stock). Otherwise it would have brought about $550.
 
i remember 35-40 years ago, a Winchester Model 12 was the cat's meow among gun traders in Tennessee. EVERYBODY wanted one and owning one was like money in the bank.

Over the years, it has slowly lost its premium little by little....I think the older crowd that appreciated these has been growing older and dying off. Newer generations just don't appreciate these like they did back in the 1970's-1980's.

I saw the same thing happen with 1957 Chevrolets and that is starting to even creep into early 60's musclecars.

I have a local classic car dealer that has or had a 1980's Toyota Supra in stock and it was more expensive that many of his classic cars.
 
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The old model 12s are not as desirable in the marketplace as they were 20-30 years ago. Model 12 collectors are relatively few today, and they insist on nothing but very high condition examples and less common designs, such as military or magnum duck, not those which show symptoms of use or of common production. And there are newer and superior shotguns on the market for hunters and clay bird shooters. There are few used Model 12s in average condition that will bring over $500, mainly less. Good shotguns, but their sun has set.
 
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I bought a nice - not new but nice - mid-'50's 12 ga. with a plain, 28" barrel, full choke, a few months ago for $250. They are great guns but the market on them in my area is very soft and has been for a long time.
 
I have never owned one, but really like them. I would like a trap model, just to shoot every so often. I know they are not much in the soft recoil category.

Years ago there was a Connecticut Trapshooter named M. D. Clark that used a model 12. The stories go that he could shuck and shoot the second target while the first hull was still 4 feet off the ground, or something like that. I believe he won the doubles championship at the Grand American once.
 
The question to ask is "how is it chambered?"

If it's chambered for 2 3/4" shells, then a 90% 20 gauge Model 12 with a solid rib will bring $900-$1200 depending on how it's marketed.

If chambered for 2 1/2", then not as much.

The Model 12's that are bringing $400-$500 are plain barrel 12 gauges.

Apples and oranges.
 
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My dad had a take-down 16 gauge M12 plain barrel and later put a Poly choke compensator on it. He loved to duck hunt and brought down gobs of mallards with the gun and sold it to my best friend when I was in college for $100. Wish I had it.
 
I agree that the price on plain barrel 12 gauges can be pretty low right now, and 16 gauges are probably even lower. I got this cylinder bore 12 gauge brush gun for less than what you see on the tag.

The few 20 gauges that I see do bring more, but I bet with some diligent searching you can find one exactly the way you want for $500.
 

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Funny this should come up today. I just this morning bought a Sears Model 20 12 gauge, which is a High Standard Model 200 Flite-King marketed by Sears. 26”, vent rib, great shape - $119.99. I have no use for it, but I didn’t want to leave it there.
 
A really nice 20 should bring between 550 to 650 without too much trouble. Fact is a 90% M12 of any gauge is hard to find nowadays. I just got my 16 gauge back from Brileys threaded for their screw in steel shot capable chokes....what a wonderful gun.
 
I see them at various auctions in various gauges. Of note would be that the 16 gauge is on the same frame as the 20 gauge. I’ve switched over to the 20 gauge after a long love affair with the 12. Still have the 12’s - not sure what to do with them when I turn to ashes. Anyway… assuming you’re looking for a shooter: think of undesirable stuff to lower the expected price. A polychoke will save you bucks and they actually work (as it turns out). I have a couple with them. If you don’t want the polychoke send it to (wherever) to get the insert chokes installed. This gun is made for shooting. Get it fixed up to be “your” gun and it’ll be your friend for life. Then consider how much per year would you be comfortable with - mine were five hundred to seven hundred dollar guns. They shoot like dreams for me. And the twenties are slicker than my twelves. My old shoulders work the actions better than any other pumps I own. You oughta be able to get a nice one for under six hundred easy. Five if you look around.
 
I look M12’s as great utility guns.

Their utility for much of their historical production (12 ga 30” full choke guns ) disappeared with the requirement of using steel shot for migratory waterfowl. They’re still great trap guns.

They really shine in the field in small bore (16 & 20ga are built on the same action ) configurations. They’re pleasant to carry in the field and very quick. They have the nicest action of all the pump guns I’ve ever used. They’re great guns as first shotguns.

Simmons did a brisk business re-bluing and adding ribs to M12’s in the 1960’s-70’s. If you’re considering a paying a premium for a M12 with a ventilated rib, look carefully to be sure it’s Winchester’s.
 
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