Winchester Model 12 M12 26” 16 Gauge Takedown Pump Action Shotgun, 1922 C&R
SOLD FOR: $884
WOA#: WY240315FS004
Make: Winchester
Model: 12
Serial Number: 288438
Year of Manufacture: 1922
Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 9/16”
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 12-16 GA. MOD.”. The top of the barrel to the left of the rib and top of the receiver have ovalled “WP” proofs. The right side of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT U.S.A.” and with patent dates. 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: The barrel is marked “MOD”, but our gauge measures Cylinder Bore, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored 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 a two piece checkered deluxe walnut with a Trap-style forend, straight grip, straight comb and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The stocks have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some little inclusions around the edges, otherwise showing minor wear with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Excellent condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is no erosion in the bore, just a little stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 96% of its current metal finish. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are generally clear with soft edges, the barrel extension’s serial marking and the Winchester proofs are shallow. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine condition as refinished.
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. The Model 12 was a very successful internal hammer pump-action shotgun in its day. 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 1922 made Winchester Model 12, produced a few years after the end of the Great War. It is chambered in 16 Gauge with a 26″ solid rib barrel that has been opened up to Cylinder Bore. It has been refinished so it looks great for its age, especially with its new deluxe walnut stocks and straight grip. This should still make a great hunting or sporting shotgun today, more than 100 years after it was made. Please see our pictures and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
