Mdl 12 Heavy Duck Gun | Winchester Shotguns | Forum

Unfortunately, you got suckered.

Winchester introduced the "Heavy Duck Gun" in 1935, and all of them were made with "Proof Steel" barrels.  S/N 406419 was manufactured in July, 1924... 11-years before the Heavy Duck Gun was first available.

Bert

Erin Grivicich said
The first thing to look for on a heavy duck is the 3" chamber. They came with a shorter than standard length of pull, 13 1/2" if memory serves me correct. They should also have the red rubber Winchester pad on the butt stock. The butt stocks came with lead added into the butt stock. If one looks at the muzzle, the barrel thickness is about twice as thick as a standard model 12. I've got 5 of them and these characteristics run the same on all. 

Hope this helps,

 

Erin  

Erin,

The fact that the gun in question has a "Nickel Steel" barrel was the first clue that it is not a Heavy Duck Gun.  The second clue is the serial number & corresponding date of manufacture.