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So, I recently purchased a Model 12 with serial number 934,XXX. It was listed by the seller as a riot gun. It has a confusing upside down simple flaming bomb looking marking on the rear right side of the receiver. Any ideas?
It seems to pre-date the WWII purchase event, and I believe it is either 1941 or 1942 production.
If it is just a junker, I think I will convert it to a reproduction trench-gun
The partial serial number indicates October 1941. I would not refer to any Model 12 as a “junker”. The stock has been altered for the recoil pad, and the flaming bomb stamp is not authentic, but it is still a Model 12 Riot Gun.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thank you for the information. I don’t think of it as a junker, in the sense that it is trash or anything, I just meant if its a gun that has been hacksawed down to 20″ and its not a true factory riot gun, I might think about making a trench gun tribute.
Can you tell me more with the full serial number?
Its 934851
November 7, 2015
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Casey-
Since the barrel is stamped “FULL” I suspect you’re right about it being a cut down field gun. More alterations won’t affect the value much, I suppose.
Mike
Casey said
Thank you for the information. I don’t think of it as a junker, in the sense that it is trash or anything, I just meant if its a gun that has been hacksawed down to 20″ and its not a true factory riot gun, I might think about making a trench gun tribute.
Can you tell me more with the full serial number?
Its 934851
There are no surviving records other that the Polishing Room serialization records, so No, I cannot tell you anything more about it. If the barrel is marked “FULL” it is most likely a cut down Field grade gun.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thank you all for your responses. They are very informative and I appreciate it greatly.
I know I may be adjusting the evidence to describe my desired narrative here, but…
I found another gun on a website which was stamped with a similar, simplistic flaming bomb cartouche.
I feel like if the goal of the builder was to forge a riot gun, wouldn’t they make sure to place the cartouche the right way up?
I removed and measured the barrel and it is nearly exactly 20 1/16″, and the front bead sight is nicely done.
Is it possible that my shotgun was pressed into service from a field gun, and the upside down flaming bomb was a careless ordnance worker?
Casey,
Almost anything was possible during the early months of WW II. That stated, the odds are greater that it is simply a cut-down Field gun with a fake ordnance marking. There simply is no possible way to prove any scenario, so the wise thing for a potential buyer to do is assume the worst.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
So, I don’t plan on selling it. I have an ethical dilemma with selling something that may not be authentic. So, should I leave it alone and let it be a mystery shotgun or should I make a reproduction trench gun? ( an authentic one will never be within my gun collection budget)
I am on the fence about what to do here. (A barbed wire fence in no-mans land it would seem)
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