A condensed Model 12 history is below.
I have a 1949, 4-digit serial number, Model 25 - the "poorer brother" of the Model 12. The 25 is just as reliable and good a shooter as the 12, and they can be had very inexpensively these days. Most of the Model 12 parts will work in the 25. Only 88K of them made, so you want see them often. This one is a nickel steel duck gun, with a polychoke added. I did a full beauty make over on it about 15 years ago, and it looks like the day it came from the factory. Practically speaking, it is death on all manner of game, and it shoots slugs into minute of deer out to 80 yards or so. With #5 it patterns as well out to 45 yards as gun today, and has taken more than a few Toms. I have lost count of the number of animals I killed with it. Dad is gone, the Model 25 still hunts on. Bob
Model 12
This model was designed by T.C. Johnson and was the first
slide-action hammerless shotgun built by Winchester. The
Model 12 has enjoyed great success in its 51-year history, and
over 1,900,000 were sold. This was a high quality, well-made
shotgun that is still in use in the hunting and shooting fields
across the country. All Model 12s were of the takedown variety.
The Model 12 was dropped from regular product line in
1963, but a special model was produced in the Custom Shop
until 1979. In 1972 Winchester resurrected the Model 12 in its
regular production line in 12 gauge only and ventilated rib. This
reintroduced Model 12 was dropped in 1980. The prices listed
are for guns made prior to 1964 or for guns with serial numbers
below 1968307. This shotgun was offered in several different
styles:
1. Standard Grade, 12, 16, 20, and 28 gauge, with plain,
solid rib, or vent rib round barrels of standard lengths
(26", 28", 30", 32"), plain walnut pistol-grip stock with
grooved slide handle. Built from 1912 to 1963.
2. Featherweight, same as above with lightweight alloy trigger
guard. Built between 1959 and 1962.
3. Riot Gun, in 12 gauge only with 20" round choked cylinder,
stock same as Standard Grade. Built between 1918
and 1963.
4. Trench Gun, chambered for 12 gauge only with 20"
round barrel with ventilated hand guard over barrel, fitted
with bayonet lug. All metal surfaces are "Parkerized," and
these shotguns should be U.S. marked as a military firearm.
Introduced in 1918 and built for U.S. Armed Forces
on special order.
5. Skeet Grade, chambered for 12, 16, 20, and 28 gauge
with 26" round barrel with solid or ventilated rib, select walnut
checkered pistol stock and special checkered extension
slide handle (longer than standard). Built from
1933 to 1963.
6. Trap Grade, chambered for 12 gauge only with 30" round
barrel with solid rib or ventilated rib, select walnut pistol
or straight-grip stock, checkered extension slide handle.
Built from 1914 to 1963.
7. Heavy Duck Gun, chambered in 12 gauge only with 30"
or 32" round barrel with plain, solid, or ventilated rib, plain
walnut pistol-grip stock fitted with Winchester solid red
rubber recoil pad, plain grooved slide handle. Built from
1935 to 1963.
8. Pigeon Grade, chambered for 12, 16, 20, and 28 gauges
with standard barrel lengths and choice of ribs. This was
a special order shotgun and will be seen in many different
variations, most of these guns were factory engraved.
Built 1914 to 1963.
The Model 12 shotgun will be seen in many different combinations
of gauges, barrel lengths, ribs, and stocks, all of which
determine value. The more rare a particular combination, the
higher the price. The buyer is urged to be extremely cautious
before purchasing the more rare combinations, such as a 28
gauge. The best advice is to seek assistance from an expert
and get as many opinions as possible. The prices listed are for
guns in standard configurations.
NOTE: For 16 gauge deduct 10 percent. For 20 gauge add
20 percent. For 28 gauge add 600 percent. For guns with
solid rib add 20 percent. For guns with Winchester Special
ventilated rib add 30 percent. For guns with milled rib add 40
percent. Add 20 percent for 32" barrels on any Model 12
model. Add 30 percent premium for original box and papers.
Model 25
This model is similar in appearance to the Model 12 but does
not have the takedown feature. All guns were solid frame. The
Model 25 was furnished in 12 gauge with 26" or 28" plain round
barrel, plain walnut pistol-grip stock with grooved slide handle.
This was an attempt by Winchester to introduce a less expensive
version of the Model 12. Introduced in 1949 it was
dropped from the product line in 1954 having sold about
88,000 guns
