Winchester model 12 12 ga question/value

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El chingadero

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Hey so I just bought a Winchester model 12 at a local gun auction for 150$, I was just looking for a cheap shotgun for my cousin to use around the farm and come hunting with us. I don't know a whole lot about them (I'm a Wingmaster guy personally) but thought that it was a steal at this price. Anyways this gun is PRISTINE, and I'm not kidding, absolutely zero wear, no handling wear or anything, no wear from the pump, it looks like it's never been fired ever. I started to disassemble it and found that there's still original grease from the factory! Then I checked the serial number and my jaw dropped, apparently it's made in 1950!

So now I'm really on the fence about this gun, and feel like it may well be worth WAY more than I paid. What's the value? Should I even fire it? I'm the kinda guy that feels a gun is meant to be fired, meant to be used, but with this one I don't know, considering it's 60 years old and perfect shape. So what do you guys think?

Some would say this is a good problem to have, but I would be happy if someone told me it's only worth 200$ and happy shooting :p

PS I'll try and post pictures once I figure out how...
 
Some of us, myself included, feel the M12 is the finest pump shotgun ever made.
It's value will depend on how common the spec's are. A picture will do wonders.
Definately worth more than you paid for it.
Me?, I'd hold off on firing it for a spell.
 
It's configuration will determine the value as much as the condition. Is it something other than a plain field with a 30" full choke?
 
I think you got a bargain at that price, even if it is a field grade gun. Ive seen them sell for $400.00 - $500.00 range many times.
I also agree they are one of the finest pumps ever made.
 
EDIT: Here are the pictures:

It is a pretty plain looking gun, although from the ones I've seen this is pretty typical. No checkering on the stock, it's a fixed full choke with a nice little bead front sight, a 2-3/4" chamber and i'm thinking it's a 30" barrel (not sure what's the official way of measuring barrel length?) The serial number is 1243706. The big thing that threw me off, and part of the reason that I posted here even though I forgot to ask in my previous post is that raised nick on the magazine tube (last picture), is that supposed to be there? It looks a little rough to me, almost like it's damage, but it could be just a stop for the pump? Hoping someone more familiar with the gun could tell me about this. Thanks
 
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Worth more than you paid anyway. In the third pic looks like pits under the blue. Maybe a reblue, hard to tell maybe just the light. But the finish looks a little blacker than original Winchester blue.
If original finish it would be worth $600 at least to a Winchester collector more in the U.S. My 2 cents.
 
Mike Webb said:
Worth more than you paid anyway. In the third pic looks like pits under the blue. Maybe a reblue, hard to tell maybe just the light. But the finish looks a little blacker than original Winchester blue.
If original finish it would be worth $600 at least to a Winchester collector more in the U.S. My 2 cents.
Click to expand...

Thanks, yeah I was also thinking the blueing is pretty dark compared to my other guns, although I thought that was typical for these models. It sure would be nice to talk to the previous owner, I like to know the history behind all my guns.
 
"The nick" is supposed to be there not 100% sure but to me it serves 2 purposes once you push the pin on the mag tube give the tube a twist with the pin then slide the pump handle up it catches on "the nick" and pulls the tube out of the receiver if you watch "the nick then hits the barrel band ensuring you don't run everything all the way out. After this is complete you rotate the entire assembly barrel and all and the whole gun comes apart in two, for takedown. Model 12s are great enjoy!
 
El chingadero said:
Hey so I just bought a Winchester model 12 at a local gun auction for 150$, I was just looking for a cheap shotgun for my cousin to use around the farm and come hunting with us. I don't know a whole lot about them (I'm a Wingmaster guy personally) but thought that it was a steal at this price. Anyways this gun is PRISTINE, and I'm not kidding, absolutely zero wear, no handling wear or anything, no wear from the pump, it looks like it's never been fired ever. I started to disassemble it and found that there's still original grease from the factory! Then I checked the serial number and my jaw dropped, apparently it's made in 1950!

So now I'm really on the fence about this gun, and feel like it may well be worth WAY more than I paid. What's the value? Should I even fire it? I'm the kinda guy that feels a gun is meant to be fired, meant to be used, but with this one I don't know, considering it's 60 years old and perfect shape. So what do you guys think?

Some would say this is a good problem to have, but I would be happy if someone told me it's only worth 200$ and happy shooting :p

PS I'll try and post pictures once I figure out how...
Click to expand...

Congrats great find..
 
That punched lip in the mag tube is standard.
Concur with Mike Webb, looks like a reblue. The recievers sharp edges appear softer than factory original. The colour seems off.
It appears the stock has been sanded and refinished. The pistol grip edges are softened, and the metal appears to stand a wee bit proud of wood at the reciever.
Buttplate is also flush with wood from the factory.

Not to pee on your picnic OP, LoL!. You scored!.
It is a beautifull shotgun, worth far more than what you paid for it, in my books.
And a joy to use.
 
It looks reblued to me too, but theirs nothing wrong with that, it looks like they did a nice job. If it shoots as good as it looks, you'll be a happy camper.
 
Rebluing isn't that expensive, its all the prep work that adds to the cost. If you do that yourself you can save a lot of money.
 
Definitely reblued IMO; in your photo you can see the pits around the reflection on the side of the action and the edges are bit rounded off in places from polishing.

The wood may have been replaced, in which case in which case you do start to wonder if it might have been through a fire or a flood - hm, I wonder who's buying the guns from the insurance companies that come out of High River?:confused:

Anyway, probably nothing to worry about. If the barrel threads don't seem worn and it locks up nice and tight, it should be fine If you're concerned you could try making enquiries about it locally.

You may have just scored a great gun for a great price in "user condition". Nothing wrong with that.
 
Wow guys thanks for all the great feedback, after some more careful observation I did notice some of the things you guys mentioned; I guess I was just blinded by love :p. I am actually a little relieved that it's not a collector's item as I previously might have thought, now I don't feel bad going out and shooting it lol! It's definitely a solid built gun, threads and everything mate up perfectly and the gun's really tight, I'm very happy with this great find! Can't wait to go shoot it!

Cheers!
 
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