Winchester Model 12 26” Skeet Solid Rib 20 GA Pump Action Shotgun, 1956 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,550
WOA#: WY240315FS003
Make: Winchester
Model: 12 Skeet
Serial Number: 1582965
Year of Manufacture: 1956
Caliber: 20 Gauge, 2 3/4” Chamber
Action Type: Pump Action Takedown Shotgun fed by Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S. OF AMERICA / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-”, “-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK-“, “MODEL 12 – 20 GA. – 2 3/4 CHAM. / WS-1”. The top of the barrel to the left of the rib and top of the receiver have ovalled “WP” proofs. The receiver extension and bottom of the receiver are marked with the serial number. The magazine tube and barrel extension have indexing arrows.
Barrel Length: 26”, Solid Rib
Choke: Skeet, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a red bead in a base at the front of the rib and a smaller metal mid-bead. The top of the rib and receiver are serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece checkered walnut with extended slide-handle, straight grip, straight comb and checkered black plastic Winchester buttplate. The profile of the wrist indicates that this was a pistol grip and has been modified. There are some minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a thin crack and a couple of tiny losses behind the trigger guard. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as modified.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The action shows light operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in 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. With forged and machined steel parts, the ultimate reason for the discontinuation of the Model 12 in 1964 was that it was simply too expensive to produce at a competitive price. When the money talks, the people listen. The primary competition at this time came from the much less expensive Remington Model 870, which had been introduced in 1950.
This example is a 20 gauge made in 1956 in a desirable configuration. It has a 26″ barrel choked Skeet, having checkered stocks with an extended slide handle. It appears a previous owner preferred a straight stock, as the wrist profile indicates a pistol grip was converted to straight. The barrel has a solid rib, and 1956 is quite late for solid ribs which were mostly supplanted by ventilated ribs in 1955. The gun is in great shape, especially for being nearly 70 years old, retaining a great bore and strong mechanics. While the Winchester collectors are definitely going to take an interest, it would also be a neat gun to get back out on the Skeet fields or even take out in the field and drop some birds. Good luck in your bidding!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
