Cecil Mills Engraved Custom Winchester Model 12 Skeet 20 GA Shotgun, C&R
SOLD FOR: $1525
LSB#: 210218WW04
Make: Winchester
Model: 12
Serial Number: 9589
Year of Manufacture: 1913
Gauge: 20 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 – 20 GA. – 2 3/4 CHAM.- / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL- / WS-1” and to the left of the rib with an ovalled “WP” proof. The bottom of the receiver is marked “9589”, the bottom of the barrel extension is marked “1919630”. The magazine tube and barrel extension have indexing arrows. The receiver has been engraved with 12-5 pattern hunting scenes surrounded by scroll engraving and gold borders. The animals in molded gold and silver, cleverly patterned to make the animals appear more life-like. The engraving is signed “C.Mills” on the left at the bottom (Cecil J. Mills).
Barrel Length: 26”, Vent Rib
Choke: Skeet 1, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a red bead in a base at the front of the rib and a smaller silver-colored mid-bead. The top of the rib, its extension on the receiver and the top of the receiver are serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with extended slide handle, capped pistol grip, straight comb and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The slide handle has fairly straight-grain wood, but the buttstock has beautiful figuring. The stocks have some scattered light nicks and scratches, most in the slide handle, and the buttstock has some spots of stubborn residue behind the grip. The checkering is well defined, generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear, mostly at the heel and toe, with well defined checkering and lettering. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as likely not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued & Gold
Finish Originality: The receiver has been refinished at the time of engraving. The barrel assembly’s finish is original, but it is not original to the receiver.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 94% of its current metal finish. The receiver’s blue finish has taken on a plum hue with some scattered minor surface oxidation on the top. There is a spot of light wear on the left-front edge from the action bar during reassembly. The barrel has a few scattered light marks and light wear on the bottom from the magazine assembly during disassembly. There is light operational wear, mostly on the magazine tube under the slide handle. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good-Fine condition as customized.
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. 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 20 Gauge which has been customized with engraving from Cecil J. Mills and has had a late production skeet barrel assembly installed. The result is a beautiful classic that will turn heads on the skeet range, make a nice addition to a Winchester collection, or a good shotgun for those who can appreciate beautiful engraving and walnut. Please see our pictures and good luck!