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Hello, I’m new to the website and hoping someone can help me. I just inherited 2 M12’s from my father. I’ve tried to identify them but the more I try the more confused I get. I’m hoping you experts can help. The first gun has a serial number 1322595 built in 1950. It has a 32” barrel, 3” chamber and it has 13.5” LOP. I thinks it’s a “heavy duck” M12. I’m confused because from what I read Winchester stopped making the 32” barrel in 1948. Can you swap out the barrels of these guns? I think my father added a VR at some point. It says “Polly Choke” on it. Does that make the gun less desirable? The second shotgun has a serial number 1521062 built in 1953. 30” barrel, 3” chamber and a LOP of 14.5” with a 1” thick pad. It has no VR and says made in the USA not New Haven Conn. on the barrel. The stock and forearm have a diamond shaped type finish in the wood under the forearm and both sides of the pistol grip area of the stock. It also has some engravings on both sides of the receiver that don’t look factory made to me. Any help would be great. I’ve attached a few photos.
Thank You
Where did you read that Winchester stopped making a 32′ barrel in 1948? To the best of my knowledge, a 32″ barrel could have been ordered right up to when the Model 12 was discontinued in early 1964. In regards to the barrel on your Model 12, it should have a 2-digit year number stamped on the bottom of the barrel a few inches from the receiver. I recommend verifying the barrel date.
On the second gun, is the barrel marked with a choke constriction (e.g. FULL, MOD, etc.)?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Both guns are full choke, 3” Cambers and say “For Super Speed and Super X”. They both also say “ Winchester Proof Speed”.
I can’t find any numbers on the bottom of the barrels. Both guns have matching serial numbers for the receivers and magazine.
Thank You
Bill
Bill,
You are not looking hard enough for the barrel date stamp. Use an LED flashlight, and illuminate the bottom of the barrel approximately 2″ from the receiver frame. It works best to shine the light from one side while viewing the bottom of the barrel from the opposite side. The magazine tube makes it difficult to see the date stamp unless you take the gun down, and slide it as far forward as possible.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert,
Found an article on this website titled Model 12 shotguns. Third paragraph down talks about the Heavy Duck Gun and says that the 32” barrel was discontinued in 1948. Maybe just for the Heavy Duck Gun.
Bill
Bert,
The barrel date on the 32” looks like 40. It could be 48 or 49. I can’t see the second number well. It’s definitely starts with a 4.
Bill
[email protected] said
Bert,The barrel date on the 32” looks like 40. It could be 48 or 49. I can’t see the second number well. It’s definitely starts with a 4.
Bill
Bill,
A 48 or 49 date stamped barrel on a 1950 production gun is well within the “reasonably original” range. In regards to when the 32-inch barrel was discontinued, I would have to gig through my catalog collection.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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