Winchester Model 12, 28 Gauge Pigeon Grade Skeet Blue 26″ Vent Rib Pump Shotgun & Factory Box, 1958

SOLD FOR: $8,150.00
LSB#: 180918JR42

Make: Winchester

Model: 12, Pigeon Grade Skeet

Serial Number: 1613729

Year of Manufacture: 1958 (“The Winchester Model Twelve 1 of 1000”, Madis, P161)

Gauge: 28 Gauge, 2 3/4” Shells

Action Type: Pump Action, Tubular Magazine Fed Takedown Shotgun

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK / MADE IN U.S.A.”, “-MODEL 12-28 GA-2 3/4 CHAM.- / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL- / SKEET”. An oval “WP” proof is marked on the top-rear of the barrel to the left of the rib and on the top-front of the receiver to the left of the rib extension. The receiver extension and bottom of the receiver are marked with the serial number, the underside of the extension has an engraved pigeon, the bottom of the barrel extension and the magazine tube have engraved indexing arrows.

Barrel Length: 26”, Ventilated Rib

Choke: Skeet, Fixed

Sights / Optics: There is a red bead in a base at the front of the ventilated rib and a smaller silver-colored mid-bead. The top of the rib and receiver are serrated to reduce glare.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece deluxe checkered walnut set with extended slide handle, capped pistol grip, and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The stocks have a few scattered light compressions and drag lines, mostly showing only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has a scratch across the leterring, otherwise showing only a few spots of very light wear, in about Fine condition. The stocks rate in about Fine-Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at several edges, most notably in the receiver. The barrel has a few scattered light marks. The magazine tube, action bars, bolt and lifter show light operational wear. The receiver has infrequent and extremely faint freckling, noticeable only on close inspection. The screw heads are sharp except for the grip cap screw which is tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes in a two-piece brown cardboard Winchester box with a label hand-marked with the serial number. The box has scattered light wear, mostly at edges and corners, in about Fine condition.

Our Assessment: The Model 1912 (shortened to Model 12 in 1919) was the next step from the Winchester Model 1897 hammer-fired shotgun, which in turn had evolved from the earlier Winchester Model 1893 shotgun. The Model 12 was designed by Winchester engineer T.C. Johnson, and was based in part on the M1893/97 design by John M. Browning, in that it used a sliding forearm or “pump action” to cycle the mechanism. This example is a Pigeon Grade Skeet Gun, with 26″ ventilated-rib barrel choked Skeet. While many of the Pigeon Grade guns had engraving, this example is one of those without, with the high polish, jeweled bolt and lifter and carved deluxe stocks but no engraving. Produced in 1958, this shotgun is from the middle of the post-war production of the original model 12 guns. It is in Fine condition with wear consistent with light, responsible use, likely more at the skeet range than in the field. Model 12s tend to be collectible in general, but Pigeon Grades even more. A 28 Gauge Pigeon Grade Skeet with its original box checks a lot of rarity boxes for collectors, and this example’s condition is well worth adding to any collection. If the Winchester collectors pass this by, it would also make a great skeet gun that will turn some heads at the range. Please see our pictures and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible shotgun can be transferred in California.

A local collector stopped by to inspect this shotgun and we want to share his observations. He concurred that the metal finish is original and we measured the bore constriction as approximately 0.004″ or 0.005″ which is correct for WS1. He stated that the pigeon marking would be marked prior to finishing and he is of the opinion that the pigeon marking is through the finish. The wood is correct for a pigeon grade but there is some finish in the checkering, indicating that the wood has been refinished. The magazine tube has the correct crimp, the receiver has the correct cartridge stop tab and cut for the tab for a 28 gauge. Additionally, the stock tang is marked “28”. The collector believes that the box is correct and original, but that it is for a Deluxe Skeet grade and the gun had Pigeon Grade wood and Pigeon marking applied after the gun left the factory. We will be uploading additional photos of these features. We wanted to share his observations so everyone has a better understanding of the gun on which they are bidding.