Winchester Model 12 20 gauge 3 Digit Serial Number 1st Year Production

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Islandgoose

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I just purchased a group of older guns and one of them is a Winchester Model 12 in 20 gauge with a three digit serial number (3XX). I reviewed the Winchester Web Stie and note that there were only 5308 Model 12's made in the first production year of 1912. That means that this gun was a very early produced piece. It has been shortened then another piece spliced back into the stock in the past. It was done very well but very obvious in hand. My question is one of value. The metal is strong as is the rest of the gun. Would it be worth it or even possible to try and find another original stock or should I list it as is? Any guess on value as it sits? It is a plain barrel in 26 inch full and of course chambered to 2 1/2. I will try and get pix up shortly.

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Altered is altered, whether by having the stock cut or a replacement, so I would leave that as is. Can't help with value, they just don't turn up that often (first year production, that is). Check carefully to make sure there were no other alterations, i.e., rebluing or having the chamber lengthened.
 
I may be wrong but I don't think that recoil pad is correct either? I do believe those first production guns had a butt plate not a recoil pad? Nice little find though. It doesn't look too bad for a 100+ year old gun. Value? No idea any more. At one time a first year production gun fetched a pretty good $$ but now they are down considerably to what they had been.
 
There's a lot of factors determining value of a Model 12. . A first year gun to attract a collector market would need to be in very good to excellent original condition. . I stress original. . During the time frame these were built, not with a collector value in mind, they were built as an everyday affordable shotgun for the average person. . The 2 1/2" early 20 ga M12's came with a 25" barrel.

A few things to check:
- condition of bore
- original choke as marked
- original 2 1/2" chambers
- position of takedown adjustment bushing (should be still in 1st or 2nd notch).
- rear bolt droop (in battery press up on rear of bolt, it should not move up but be locked tight to top of receiver)
- exterior pitting (bluing wear is acceptable but pitting is not)

Now this is all stuff to check if you're expecting top resale price. . Aside from all this I sold a 1st year M12, in good condition with excellent wood, for $400. . The buttplate was also in good condition. .

With these early guns is not only the chamber length but the short buttstocks and that's most likely why yours has been lengthened. . They were only 13 1/2" to 13 5/8"LOP. . When the 16 ga came out in 1914, the stock was a tad longer, but not much. . I can tell by the ejection port that yours may still have a 2 1/2" chamber. . It was quite common to lengthen the chamber and also enlarge the front of the ejection port for shell clearance. If you look at a factory 2 3/4" gun you'll notice what I mean.

A person looking to buy a 20 ga M12 for upland hunting, if looking for an early gun, might be more attracted to ones made post 1927 with 2 3/4" chambers with no ejection issues, longer buttstocks, longer barrel and around 1931 the upgrade from Nickel Steel to Winchester Proof Steel held bluing better.

But aside from all this yours is nice gun and a nice find.
 
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As condition described $350-550.00 I have sold quite a few early model 12's over the yrs and that is the price range unless it looks like new condition is everything when it comes to value . Yes it should have a 25" bbl not a 26" I have a 4 digit one that I opend the chamber and the ejection port up for 2 3/4" ammo and with hat 25" bbl it is my go to upland gun
 
If you ask for info and then disregard it what is the point of the bbl is less than 25" then it has been altered and it is a $200 gun as is it is a $400-450 gun with the alterations condition is everything
 
I have learned how to measure correct barrel length. The barrel is exactly 25 inches from the face of the bolt in the closed position to the end (I am told by a member who did Winchester warranty work for years that is the correct length for that year)

I have listed the gun now with the up to date info. Many thanks folks.
 
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