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October 21, 1996
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Hi,
Hope everyone is doing well!
I have recently purchased a NIB Winchester Model 99 12ga IM/IC 28″ VR BBL over & under, DST, which I understand to have only been manufactured for and sold in Europe.
From what I am learning, they were only made in 1976.
I believe to have been manufactured as a more affordable version of the Winchester Model 101 as was the model 96 OU.
Have scanned the internet the last few days and basically came up completely empty on any information or details related to the Model 99. I have also contacted Winchester directly; they had no information and pointed me to Cody.
Looking to my WACA members to see if any of you have details on this model, I can document regarding this particular Winchester shotgun.
Kind Regards,
Kevin
January 20, 2023
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Kevin, what little knowledge I have is secondhand but I believe the Winchester 99 is simply the European export version of the Model 96, such that Model 96 parts should fit a Model 99. The risk comes if changes were made to the 96 over its production life, so you would want a parts dealer with knowledge for advice as well as parts.
I’ve never owned either of those shotguns but have owned a couple of Model 101s. My understanding has been the Model 96 was a reduced cost version of the field grade 101, the differences being mostly but not entirely cosmetic rather than mechanical, e.g. no engraving, sound but straight grained Walnut, an uncapped pistol grip, coarser checkering, metal polished to yield a satin rather than high-gloss finish.
Frankly, I’ve always thought the ones I’ve seen were classy and understated, particularly those with an “English” style straight grip. The big red “W” on the grip caps of the field grade 101 cheapened its appearance, in my opinion.
I’d wondered if Winchester hadn’t held Model 96/99 costs down by eliminating automatic selective ejectors, manual barrel selection, screw-in choke tubes, ventilated ribs, and single triggers. Those features, particularly the first one, require significant amounts of skilled labor to fit and adjust to work reliably. (Personally, I like double triggers and non-ejectors, myself.)
However, the 99s I’ve seen at auction in the UK have had ventilated ribs, single triggers and what looks like a barrel selection feature on the tang safety. The uncapped pistol grip is far more elegant than the garish 101 red logo insert.
Put up some photos of your gun and you will likely draw more comment.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
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