Factory Engraved Winchester Model 12 Featherweight Pump Shotgun, 1961 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1650
LSB#: 220309JB008
Make: Winchester
Model: 12 Featherweight
Serial Number: 1803285F
Year of Manufacture: 1961
Caliber: 12 Ga. 2 3/4″ Shells
Action Type: Pump Action Shotgun
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK- / -MADE IN U.S.A.-“, “-MODEL 12 – FEATHERWEIGHT- 12 GA. – 2 3/4 CHAM.- / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL- / IMP- CYL” and “285”. The top of the barrel at the rear and the top of the receiver at the front each have an ovalled “WP” proof. The bottom of the receiver is marked “1803285F”. The receiver has scroll engraving surrounding game birds.
Barrel Length: 26″
Choke: Improved Cylinder, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the front of the barrel. The top of the receiver has a serrated sighting plane.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with grooved slide handle secured by two screws at the rear, pistol grip, straight comb and rubber Winchester buttpad. There are a few scattered scuffs, compressions, and draglines, most noticeable on the buttstock. There are some scattered scuffs and a couple of light scratches, most noticeable on the bottom of the forend at the front. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The pad has some scattered light wear from normal uase. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This gun retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is finish loss on the edges of the trigger guard. There are a few light marks through the finish on the receiver, most noticeable on the top. There are some light handling marks on the barrel and there are a couple of scuffs that have faintly thinned the finish. There are light handling marks. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear, the WP proofs are a little light. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This shotgun will slam-fire as designed. 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. This example is a Featherweight model, not a particularly common variant. Produced from 1958 to 1962, there were fewer than 120,000 made, just over 5% of total Model 12 production. While lighter than the standard model by about one pound, the simplification of the mechanism meant that the magazine tube was not removed when the gun was taken down for storage or transport, making the gun longer when disassembled. While the Featherweight was not particularly popular in its time, the Model 12 has become quite collectible, today. This one looks great and has tasteful engraving. The engraving pattern does not exactly match anything in our reference library but it is of the same style. Certainly Winchester would know their market well enough to know what was being hunted with a featherweight shotgun, and the depiction of a quail on a 26″ IC choked gun would make perfect sense for the buyer of this gun. The Featherweight’s limited production and this example’s high condition would make for a great addition to a collection. It could also still serve as a great shooter for flesh or clay birds. Please see our pictures and good luck!