Winchester Model 12 shotguns

[rchall]

I recently bought a Model 12 off Gunbroker. It is a Tournament
Grade 12 ga. They were only made from 1914-1930 according
to Riffle's book and said made in 12 ga. only. Does anyone
know if they special order mfgd. any 16 or 20 gauge guns in
this grade?? One book I have said they did, but I've never
seen or heard of one for sale.

 

[ingmansinc]

I have both a 16 and 12 model 12, could you tell me how to identify the tournament grade models. Mine are both family heirlooms and I've never researched them.

 

[Texas Star]

May we please see some photos of M-12's? The higher grades are very handsome guns.

T-Star

 

[Andy Griffith]

IIRC, I believe they could be ordered in 16 and 20 gauge.

I suggest getting some more literature on the subject:

The Model 12 by George Madis
Winchester Shotguns and Shotshells by Ronald W. Stadt
The Greatest Hammerless Repeating Shotgun Ever Built by David Riffle
Winchester Shotguns by Dennis Adler (this is really a picture/coffee table book rather than informational, but I consider pictures informational)

These four books can save you a lot of money...it has for me! High grade model 12's in high condition are very popularly subjects to be faked. Arm yourself against the rogues!!!

We have got to have pictures!!!
I love Models 12s!!!

 

[rchall]

Thanks friends! The gun I bought has probably 2x wood on it and
has nice figure with dark swirls in it. Very pretty walnut. It has a
30" nickel steel barrel with a solid rib. Double ivory sight beads.
Straight grip stock with a small round checkered forearm. I did have
to replace an old Hawkins type recoil pad on it with one of the red
Winchester date pads from Galazan. Really looks nice on this old
gun. Serial# dates the gun to 1923 and I'd guess the bluing is in
the 90% range overall. The wood finish and blue are original as they
came from the factory. It shoots without a hitch. Very happy with it!

 

[rchall]

I will try to post some photos of it when I figure out how to do
that!

 

[djohns6]

I have one that belonged to my Grandfather . He died in the 1930's .

 

[kscardsfan]

I'm looking for a 16 ga. someday. IIRC these were built on 20 ga. frames. I want one with a mod. choke and about a 26-28" bbl for my bird hunting expeditions.

 

[35Rem]

I hear this stuff about the 16's being built on a 20 ga frame all over the place. If a 16 fits, then it must be a 16 ga frame and the 20 was built on a 16 frame. I know they built the 20 first. That's the only reason to call it a "20 ga frame". It sounds like they built the 20 on a too big 16 ga frame.

 

[rchall]

Hey kscardsfan,
I saw a 16 with a 26", mod. barrel last year at a gun show. it
also had a solid rib and was an old nickel steel gun. It balanced
and pointed perfectly, but I believe had a short 2 9/16" chamber
and was pretty loose at the joint. He still wanted $895 and I
passed, but what a great rabbit or bird gun that would be!!

 

[kscardsfan]

Hey kscardsfan,
I saw a 16 with a 26", mod. barrel last year at a gun show. it
also had a solid rib and was an old nickel steel gun. It balanced
and pointed perfectly, but I believe had a short 2 9/16" chamber
and was pretty loose at the joint. He still wanted $895 and I
passed, but what a great rabbit or bird gun that would be!!

For 9 bills it would've had to been close to NIB for me to get interested lol

 

[Bullet Bob]

Having been built by Miroku for Winchester, this 20 gauge (bottom gun) isn't a "real" Model 12, but it is a good one.

 

[kscardsfan]

Having been built by Miroku for Winchester, this 20 gauge (bottom gun) isn't a "real" Model 12, but it is a good one.

I'll never ever have to worry about that lol. Those are way too pretty to be trusted to a guy like me.