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A good gunsmith can, if needed, open up the forcing cone. When the shell is fired it opens up making it longer and it needs the space in the forcing cone to accommodate this.
Hello from MN,
Just found this forum, love all the information. I was lucky enough to get a 1887 12 gauge with Serial # 512.
I could not believe it at first, thought I was missing some numbers.
Due to the low number, does anyone think the Master himself, John Browning, put hands on it checking early production?
Its fun to think about either way
While it is possible, it is doubtful that JMB himself personally handled your Model 1887 shotgun. Per the factory records, s/n 512 was manufactured in the second month (June 1887) of production.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I’ve inherited a Winchester Model 12 – 20g., 2 3/4 Full, Ser#578395. How old might it be? Does it have some value? I’m not a shotgun guy. Many thanks
GregLarry said
I’ve inherited a Winchester Model 12 – 20g., 2 3/4 Full, Ser#578395. How old might it be? Does it have some value? I’m not a shotgun guy. Many thanks
Your Winchester Model 12 was manufactured in September 1928. It most likely does have some value, but how much will greatly be influenced by the specific configuration/variation, and the graded condition of the gun. We need to see several clear detailed pictures the gun before attempting to estimate the value.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I have a Mdl 12 in 20 gauge that was manufactured in 1912, the barrel is from 1914. I’ve had a good gunsmith ream it out to 2 3/4″ shells and the choke changed from full to modified. I am wondering if this gun can shoot modern shells that are 2 3/4″ but not lead? Someone said that you can’t do that. So I’ve stuck to some old shells that I inherited.
Thanks
Klaus G said
I have a Mdl 12 in 20 gauge that was manufactured in 1912, the barrel is from 1914. I’ve had a good gunsmith ream it out to 2 3/4″ shells and the choke changed from full to modified. I am wondering if this gun can shoot modern shells that are 2 3/4″ but not lead? Someone said that you can’t do that. So I’ve stuck to some old shells that I inherited.Thanks
Why do you believe that it is a 1912 manufactured gun? Is the serial number < 9267 ? Is the barrel marked “NICKEL STEEL” ?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Well my Dad continued to shoot his 1955 modified barrel with steel until he ringed the barrel. Don’t do it.
The receiver serial # is 1032 and the barrel serial # is 3334 and it is marked as nickel steel. I still have the original barrel but it has been shortened to about 25″ and I think someone botched a reaming job on it because after I fire a round it won’t eject until everything cools down.
Klaus G said
The receiver serial # is 1032 and the barrel serial # is 3334 and it is marked as nickel steel. I still have the original barrel but it has been shortened to about 25″ and I think someone botched a reaming job on it because after I fire a round it won’t eject until everything cools down.
Ooops sorry the barrel serial# is 33324.
Klaus G said
Klaus G said
The receiver serial # is 1032 and the barrel serial # is 3334 and it is marked as nickel steel. I still have the original barrel but it has been shortened to about 25″ and I think someone botched a reaming job on it because after I fire a round it won’t eject until everything cools down.
Ooops sorry the barrel serial# is 33324.
S/N 1032 is certainly a 1912 production gun (September), but s/n 33324 was manufactured in June 1913.
The standard barrel length for the 20-ga Model 1912 was 25-inches, with a 2.5″ chamber. If the chamber was not correctly lengthened to accommodate a 2.75″ shell, it could very well stick (not eject) after being fired with a modern length shell.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I didn’t measure the old barrel before posting but it is definitely shortened. An old friend gave it to me while it was in pieces and a local smith who’s long since retired had the parts that I needed to get the gun functioning again. The new barrel was bought from a guy up near Winnipeg. I like the old beast. It is truly a classic.
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