Winchester Model 1912 12 Takedown 25″ Solid Rib 20 GA Pump Shotgun 1914 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1004
LSB#: 210823PE16
Make: Winchester
Model: 12
Serial Number: 35343
Year of Manufacture: 1914
Gauge: 20 Gauge, 2 1/2” Shells
Action Type: Pump Action, Tubular Magazine Fed Takedown Shotgun
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “NICKEL STEEL”, “TRADE MARK / -WINCHESTER- / REG. IN U.S. PAT. OFF. & FGN.”, and “MOD. 1912-20 GA. MOD”. The top of the barrel to the left of the rib and top of the receiver are marked with an Oval “WP” proof. The right side of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A. / PAT. JULY. 21.1896. FEB 22. JUNE. 14. 1898. SEPT. 7. 1909. MAY. 17. 24. 31. JUNE. 7. 14. 28. JULY 5. 12. 1910.” The receiver extension and bottom of the receiver are marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 25”, Solid Rib
Choke: Modified, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a brass bead at the front of the rib. The top of the rib and receiver are serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered fancy walnut with semi-pistol grip, straight comb and checkered black hard rubber buttplate. The stocks have several scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is discoloration and thinning finish in the grip areas. There is a thin crack in the right of the wrist at the front edge and a tiny crack at the rear of the trigger guard. There is a tiny loss at the rear of the trigger guard. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 14 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear, mostly around the edges, with well defined checkering and lettering. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is light finish wear scattered throughout with more notable handling wear on the bottom of the receiver and barrel extension. There is minor surface oxidation scattered throughout with some light light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear, including wear on the bottom of the barrel from the magazine cap bracket during disassembly/assembly. There is also wear on the left-front edge of the receiver from the action bar during assembly. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good 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 with a brown leather leg of mutton case. The case shows moderate wear with scattered scrapes, scuffs, broken stitching, and the tab for retaining the lid of the case has come off. Overall, the case is in about Fair 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. It was initially available in 20 gauge only (12 and 16 gauge guns were not sold until late 1913). The Model 12 was a very successful internal hammer pump-action shotgun. With forged and machined steel parts, the ultimate reason for discontinuation in 1964 was that it was too expensive to produce at a competitive price. The primary competition at this time came from the much less expensive Remington Model 870, which had been introduced in 1950. This is a particularly early Model 12 made in 1914, in the original standard configuration chambered for 2 1/2″ 20 gauge shells with a 25″ barrel. It does have some non-standard features, including a solid rib and checkered fancy walnut stocks, which appear to have been special-ordered with a longer than normal length of pull. Despite being more than 100 years old, it retains the majority of its original blue finish with a nice bore and strong mechanics. By all appearances, this gun has been a faithful companion in the field for its previous owners and has likely taken its share of birds. It could be back out in the field for another generation taking birds, but should also make a nice addition to a Winchester shotgun collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!