Washington State Patrol Marked Winchester Model 12 1912 M12 Riot 12 GA Pump Action Shotgun, MFD 1959 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,025
LSB#: 200302SH01
Make: Winchester
Model: 12
Serial Number: 1746750
Year of Manufacture: 1959 (“The Winchester Model Twelve 1 of 1000”, Madis, P160)
Gauge: 12 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-12-12 GA-2 / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL- / CYL”. The top-rear of the barrel and the top-front of the receiver each have an ovalled “WP” proof. The bottom of the barrel extension and receiver are each marked with the serial number. The left of the receiver is marked “WASHINGTON STATE PATROL”, the right of the buttstock has rack number “354” in white paint.
Barrel Length: 20 3/4″
Choke: Cylinder Bore, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the front of the barrel. There is a sighting groove on the top of the receiver receiver, serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece walnut set with grooved slide handle, flat-bottom pistol grip, straight comb, checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate, and a sling stud has been installed near the toe. The slide handle has light handling wear with some scattered minor scratches and scuffs with thinning finish at the rear edge. The buttstock has thinning finish scattered throughout with some scattered light nicks, scratches and scuffs. 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 light wear at the heel and toe with some nicks around the edges. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good 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 95% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at most edges. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches, most on the receiver. The magazine tube, action bar, bolt and lifter show light operational wear. There are tool marks around the trigger guard screw. The screw heads are sharp. Most markings are clear, but the barrel address is poorly struck, deeper to the left and shallow to incomplete on the right. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. 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: None.
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 12 Gauge riot gun produced in 1959 and sold to the Washington State Patrol. For a duty shotgun, it looks like it’s had a fairly gentle life with the great majority of its metal finish remaining, a great bore and strong mechanics, though the buttstock has taken some wear. This would make a nice addition to a Winchester or law enforcement firearms collection. If the collectors pass it by, it will still make for a nice home defense shotgun. Please see our pictures and good luck!