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December 25, 2016
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Had a look through the gun library at Bass Pro in Springfield OR. They had the last Garmin GPS trolling motor in stock W/O tariffs in their stock. At any rate they had a great gun library.
They had the best original Model 12 heavy duck I have ever encountered. Zero wear on the magazine tube I would rate this shotgun at 99%+ it was just perfect and had a vent rib.
At any rate collectors looking for a heavy duck would do well to contact them, 700 bucks looks unfired.
August 8, 2024
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Rick, Is the vent rib factory? If so, it would be and outstanding buy for someone.
December 25, 2016
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I would be very surprised if it was anything but Winchester through and through. If Simmons or other aftermarket, it was installed on a brand new gun. I complimented their buyer, best gun library I have been to at Bass Pro. I would not be surprised that they have the box too, really excellent heavy duck to my eye.
It was at the Bass Pro / Cabela’s at Gateway mall in Eugene OR 2 days ago. Don’t see many like this one, most heavy duck guns have seen some time in the blind.
August 8, 2024
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Rick, I have found that over the years a Model 12 Heavy Duck with a factory vent rib is a scarce item. They only cataloged them from 1954 to 1957. It should have either a donut, or round post style rib. The barrel, and receiver will be proofed marked. If that Model 12 has these features. Well, someone will have a real prize.
April 30, 2023
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I called up there but no one is answering the phone…I’ll try in the morning.
January 27, 1992
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I paid well over twice that price for the one I have. Ser. #1626627. It goes well with my “Trap Model” Ser. #1602122. Both shoot well on the Trap Range, if I do my part. RDB
August 8, 2024
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Roger, You have two nice Model 12s! That Model 12 Heavy Duck with the donut style post vent rib is scarce. With the deluxe wood, even scarcer!
December 25, 2016
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Good luck Jeremy. it’s the highest condition Model 12 I have seen in a gun store. The wood was nice but not graded gun nice and no checkering. I don’t remember the gun library guys name. I don’t shop that particular Bass Pro as it is 100 miles from my place. I am installing the new GPS trolling motor I bought there, no free shipping on big heavy items like that. They had the last one in Bass Pro’s inventory. Garmin changed their models and raised prices anticipating tariffs.
April 30, 2023
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Talked to them just now, by s/n it’s a 1952. He’s going to send me pictures in a little while, he wondered aloud that it might be a refinish based on the condition. We shall see…thanks for posting about it though…I’d like a nice model 12.
Did you think it was possibly a refinish?
December 25, 2016
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It did not look like a refinish at all. Check the ring inside the chamber, Winchester left the part in the white. They had many nice guns to look at there, since I was not in the market for one I did not dig that deep. Very original looking gun to my eye. The typical refinish tends to be shiny and gaudy and just not original. Again I did not look that hard at it. Good luck! I will add it had the original red Winchester pad that while in good shape def had some age to it. My brother was with me and was a gun store clerk for 5 years or so, he said original.
April 30, 2023
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OK good info, thanks for the insight. I haven’t received anything from them yet…I asked specifically for the barrel stampings and proof marks.
August 8, 2024
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If it was made in 1952 it can not be a cataloged Model 12 Heavy Duck with a vent rib. It is just a little to early for that. It could be a special order two pinned milled vent rib gun. I have never seen one, but there could be one out there. If it is not the two pinned milled vent rib. Well then, it was added after it left the factory. Look for the proof marks on the receiver, and barrel. But, beware that proof mark dies are out there, so they can be added to try to fool the novice that it is an original vent rib gun. Just remember that all two pinned milled vent rib barrels were rust blued.
April 30, 2023
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Roger that Bo, unless they completely missed something, the listed price makes me think it is not a unicorn…but I’ve found incorrectly priced things at the orphanage before! I may share what they send me if they ever get around to it.
November 7, 2015
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The Heavy Duck has a following in the Helice and live bird camps. I suppose a serious Trap shooter may see the value of the Heavy Duck for long-yardage Handicap Trap.
Mike
December 25, 2016
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Please post up the photos when you get them Jeremy, send them to Bert here if you don’t have the privileges. My bro spotted the heavy duck, since I was not in the market for another 12 gauge gun I did not look at it that hard. I also spent good shotgun money on a boat motor while I was there, the toy fund could not support a buy for resale. My wife is awesome but spending more on that trip would be a bridge too far!
That said, the gun buyers at Cabela’s / Bass Pro do screw up, in my experience they screw up more than most.
I lettered the colt new army and navy I bought from Cabelas, paid 100 for the letter, paid 29 bucks for the gun. They thought it was defective, nope it’s the first version that the military rejected no cylinder stops. It’s a civilian sold at Montgomery Wards Chicago in 1898.
I also bought a .32 S&W elegant and unfired in blue no wear some staining in the blue again 29 bucks. Hammerless since it is BP I won’t shoot it.
Made a point to haunt Cabela’s for a few years, those two were the killer deals, I have others as well from them.
April 30, 2023
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Well, first guy was going to email me photos but was working alone, never got to it.
Call yesterday guy would t help just said he’d find a manager to call me back.
Oh well. Could always gamble on it and have it sent down to FW and just refund it if not good….I’ll see if it’s still there when I get back from a a short vacation….
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