WWII US Winchester Model 12 20″ Trench 12 GA Pump Action Shotgun, 1945 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2,625.99

WOA#: WY240409WOA012

Make: Winchester

Model: 1912

Serial#: 1017300

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1945

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4” Chamber

Choke: Cylinder Bore, Fixed

Action Type: Pump-Action Shotgun with a Tubular Magazine

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S. OF AMERICA / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-“, “-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK-“, “MODEL 12 – 12 GA. – 2 3/4 CHAM. / CYL”, the top-rear is marked with a flaming bomb Ordnance mark and ovalled “WP” Winchester proof. The top-front of the receiver also has an ovalled “WP”, the right of the receiver is marked “U. S.” with a flaming bomb under the ejection port, the bottom-front is marked with the serial number. The serial number is also marked on the bottom of the barrel extension. The left of the stock is stamped “AN” (see Our Assessment) and the front of the grip is marked “P”.

Barrel Length: 20″ nominal, 20 3/4″ measured.

Sights/ Optics: There is a silver-colored bead mounted to the front of the installed bayonet lug assembly. The barrel is not drilled for a bead. The top of the receiver has a sighting plane, serrated for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stocks are two-piece walnut with grooved slide handle, smooth semi-pistol grip, straight comb and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. There is a sling plate in the belly and another swivel mounted to the rear of the bayonet lug assembly. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is a patch of what appears to be adhesive residue on the right of the buttstock. There is some discoloration. 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 scattered wear, heaviest at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refurbished and/or replaced.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Likely Arsenal Refurbished

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright, there is no erosion in the bore, but there are some streaks of stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 or 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: The shotgun retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are scattered dried grease stains. There are some light nicks, scratches and scuffing. There are tiny spots of what appears to be white paint on and around the slide-handle. There is infrequent minor oxidation and some scattered faint erosion under the finish. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, the shotgun is in Very Good condition as refurbished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This shotgun will slam-fired as designed.We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: Included is a 1917 dated Remington M1917 bayonet with scabbard.

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1912 was an improved version of John Moses Browning’s groundbreaking design, the Model 1897 pump action shotgun. While similar in most aspects to Browning’s design, several improvements were made by Winchester engineer Thomas Crossley Johnson. Johnson’s most notable improvement was to alter the action. While Browning had designed his m/1897 with an external hammer, Jonson modified the design with an internal hammer. The Model 1912 retained the distinct slam-fire action used on Browning’s original design and proved itself an outstanding firearm in numerous trials.

The Winchester Model 1912  did not just make an impact on the commercial market, the U.S. Government also took an interest in the innovative firearm. During WWI a militarized variant of its predecessor the Model 1897 was accepted for service (it is believed that the Model 1912 trench variant likely only saw limited use, if any, during WWI as Winchester prioritized the proven Model 1897 instead), remembered as the “Trench grade” variant, it had an attachment fixed to the barrel which features a bayonet lug and heatshield. The trench gun’s lacked notches on their barrels which allowed for the installation of an attachment which secured the magazine to the barrel, instead the bayonet lug secured the magazine on trench guns. Furthermore, authentic trench gun barrels were made without beads as the bayonet-lug/heat shield had a bead fixed to it. There was also a “riot grade” version of the Winchester m/1912 and m/1897 shotguns which lacked the bayonet lug and heat shield attachment, that was adopted for use in WWI.

The m/1897 trench guns were put to deadly use during WWI, their effectiveness prompted the German High Command to protest the use of shotguns in combat, the Germans claimed it was a violation of the 1907 Hague Convention on Land Warfare. The protest was likely prompted by the weapons effectiveness, rather than any actual moral scruples and was disregarded by the U.S. Government (this was the same German High Command who used poison gas in battle after all). Both the “riot” and “trench” grade shotguns continued to see use during the Interwar period and when WWII broke out the U.S. Government once again called upon Winchester to mass produce both riot and trench variations of not just the m/1897 but also the m/1912 for military service. They were used extensively in the Pacific Theater against the Japanese where hand to hand combat was all too common and to a lesser extent in Europe. Although its age was starting to show after WWII, the Models 1912  and 1897 would continue to see combat in both Korea and Vietnam. Both shotguns were expertly made and served the needs of American servicemen for nearly half a century.

This particular specimen is a Model 1912 which has correct features and markings for a Trench Gun. The buttstock is lacking an inspector or Ordnance cartouche, but is marked “AN” as found on guns refurbished by Anniston Army Depot. It is possible that the buttstock was replaced when the gun was refurbishment. Arsenal Refurbishment would also explain the parkerized finish, which is quite uniform and in-line with an arsenal-applied finish. The Model 1912 “Trench” variant is a very desirable collector piece, and this one even comes with an M1917 bayonet to attach to the lug. It will make a great addition and display in any WWII or Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud