Winchester Claybirds Tournament Pair WCT Model 1400 1200 Shotguns, 1968 C&R

More Sold Shotguns

SOLD FOR: $1,091.00

LSB#: LSB260225FB001 / LSB260225FB002

Make: Winchester

Model: 1400 and 1200

Serial Numbers: 1006 (1400) / 1005 (1200)

Year of Manufacture: 1968 / C&R

Gauge: 12 GA, 2 ¾”

Action Type: Semi-Auto Shotgun, Tubular Magazine / Pump Shotgun, Tubular Magazine

Markings: 1400: The left side of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER MODEL 1400 – 12 GA. 2 ¾ CHAM. / WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL / SKEET”. The left side of the chamber has two proofs including the WP Winchester proof which is also located on the receiver. The left side of the receiver is marked “MODEL 1400 MK II / WCT 68 / 1006”. There is a 3/4″ square placard with the letter “P” on the foremost part of the forend.

1200: The left side of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER MODEL-1200-12 GA.-2 3/4 CHAM. / MADE IN USA WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL / FULL”. The underside of the receiver is marked “WCT-68 / 1005”.

Barrel Lengths: 1400: 26″ Vent-Rib

1200: 30″ Vent Rib

Chokes: 1400: Fixed. Cylinder.

1200: Fixed. Full

Sights/Optics: 1400: The front sight is a red and white bead fixed to the rib. There is a silver colored mid rib sight. The top of the vent-rib and receiver are serrated for glare reduction.

1200: The front sight is a red and white bead fixed to the rib. There is a silver colored mid rib sight. The top of the vent-rib and receiver are serrated for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration and Condition: 1400: The refinished stocks are two piece press-checkered walnut with capped pistol grip, fluted straight comb, and White Line vented-rubber buttplate. The LOP measures 14″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The checkering is still sharp. There is light handling wear, primarily in two 1″ vertical scratches in the left stock. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition.

1200: The stock is a two piece press-checkered walnut with capped pistol grip fluted straight comb, and a black, vented rubber Winchester buttpad. The LOP measures 14.5″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The checkering is semi-sharp. There is very little handling wear on the stocks, mainly a few scratches on the belly. Overall, these stocks rate in Fine Condition.

Type of Finish: Blue (both)

Finish Originality: Original (both)

Bore Condition: 1400: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore, though there is some fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.

1200: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore, though there are a few scratches at midbarrel. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.5/10.

Overall Condition: 1400: This shotgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. There is tiny corrosion freckling on the barrel. There is minor fading on the receiver. There is minor operational wear on the slide supports. The barrel shows a little plum patina at the chamber. The pins are unmarred. Overall, this shotgun rates a Very Good condition.

1200: This shotgun retains about 96% of its original finish. There is light fading on both receiver and barrel. There are a couple of draglines on the barrel due to operational wear. There are a very few scratches due to handling wear. Overall, this shotgun rates a Fine condition.

Mechanics: Both actions function correctly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Winchester Claybird Tournament offered a prize for regional winners in the late 60s and early 70s. In 1966-68, the prize was a matched set of a Winchester skeet and trap gun with sequential serial numbers. There were very few made, given only to those winners and a few “friends”. This pair is one of those rare prizes, notable for their sequential numbers and gold trim.

(1400): The Winchester Model 1400 is a streamlined, no-nonsense semi-automatic built for sporting clays, upland work, and serious field use. The vent-rib 26″ / open choke configuration makes for a quick-pointing weapon. The solid factory fit and finish combined with the brass/black contrast speak to the model’s late-1960s era of practical American shotgun design.

The astute reader will have noticed the miscompare between the stamped choke (Skeet) and the measurement. The choke appears to have bored out to Cylinder.

It is chambered for 2 ¾? 12-gauge loads, with a bright (9/10) bore and metal that shows about 95% finish with tiny corrosion freckles. The action functions correctly. It is a complete and ready example for both collectors and shooters seeking a high-quality, original, Winchester semi-auto.

(1200): The Winchester Model 1200 represents Winchester’s post Model 12 evolution, introduced to meet modern manufacturing demands while preserving the fast handling and reliability that defined the company’s pump action lineage. By the early 1970s, the Model 1200 had firmly established itself as a practical American sporting shotgun, widely used in the field and trusted for its rotating bolt design and smooth cycling.

This particular Model 1200 is in Fine shape, with very minimal Operational and Handling Wear. It is optimized for trap shooting, with a 30″ barrel, a raised rib, and a fixed full choke.

Please see our photos of this rare pair. – C.B.