Log In
February 19, 2026
Offline
Hello, looking to get some insights on best way to preserve and value a near pristine Model 12 (shot 3 times) 16Ga in original box with original tape still holding top to bottom and original wax paper packing material. I bought from an Army Colonel that had purchased in Korea in 1959 PX store. Oh, I have an original box of shells purchased at the same time as the shotgun! Gun is in pristine original condition. SN is 17808xx.
I have kept in a gun safe, albeit not a climate controlled safe. Recommendations as to best preservation methods (gun in original box, gun and box separate…?) and valuation.
Thanks all,
MD
August 27, 2014
Offline
Welcome Michael
If your M12 is in pristine, original condition keep on doing what you’ve been doing
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them”
President Harry S. Truman
January 20, 2023
Offline
Consult information available online about preserving paper and cardboard. Both require a certain amount of atmospheric water. A common reason for the deterioration of cardboard is a too-dry environment like a gun safe with a dehumidifier. I don’t know whether wrapping a box in plastic wrap to deprive it of Oxgen is a good idea or not but I would find out. Too much humidity is bad for paper and cardboard, too.
Do not keep the gun in the original box. Despite old anti-rust wrapping (which wears out), the cardboard will eventually emit corrosive vapors as it ages. There are collectors who insist the gun should have a “dry look” but I put my faith in R.I.G. – a thin coat wiped in and on.
Where you live makes a difference whether you should try to control humidity. If you live in Tucson ( unless the golf courses and swimming pools have modified the atmosphere), a GoldenRod can be hard on stocks. In Houston, you need one. Everywhere, you want to make certain storage temp is a couple of degrees warmer than the outside ambient air, so water doesn’t condense on cold steel like an ice tea glass in Summer.
Because the Model 12 is a takedown, I would leave it disassembled to avoid marking it and make it easier to apply preservative inside the breech. If it were mine, I’d store it in two separate Bore Store bags.
That is what I would do for myself and, thus far, have not suffered any deteriorated cardboard except that which occurred before it came to me. What arms I own haven’t rusted, some of which have been in my custody for a half-Century. But none of them are “unfired”.
There are people who would rather see a gun corrode rather than touch it and operate its action less some evidence of “use” appear. The idea repels me but it’s (so far, still) a free country.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
February 19, 2026
Offline
Zebulon said
Consult information available online about preserving paper and cardboard. Both require a certain amount of atmospheric water. A common reason for the deterioration of cardboard is a too-dry environment like a gun safe with a dehumidifier. I don’t know whether wrapping a box in plastic wrap to deprive it of Oxgen is a good idea or not but I would find out. Too much humidity is bad for paper and cardboard, too.
Do not keep the gun in the original box. Despite old anti-rust wrapping (which wears out), the cardboard will eventually emit corrosive vapors as it ages. There are collectors who insist the gun should have a “dry look” but I put my faith in R.I.G. – a thin coat wiped in and on.
Where you live makes a difference whether you should try to control humidity. If you live in Tucson ( unless the golf courses and swimming pools have modified the atmosphere), a GoldenRod can be hard on stocks. In Houston, you need one. Everywhere, you want to make certain storage temp is a couple of degrees warmer than the outside ambient air, so water doesn’t condense on cold steel like an ice tea glass in Summer.
Because the Model 12 is a takedown, I would leave it disassembled to avoid marking it and make it easier to apply preservative inside the breech. If it were mine, I’d store it in two separate Bore Store bags.
That is what I would do for myself and, thus far, have not suffered any deteriorated cardboard except that which occurred before it came to me. What arms I own haven’t rusted, some of which have been in my custody for a half-Century. But none of them are “unfired”.
There are people who would rather see a gun corrode rather than touch it and operate its action less some evidence of “use” appear. The idea repels me but it’s (so far, still) a free country.
It is and absolutely respect your opinion and appreciate your recommendations. Truth be told, I have an exact duplicate of this Model 12 that my father used most of his life and while well used is in great shooting condition. i’m dove hunting with it every season. This appreciation for the Model 12th was what brought me to possess this “pristine” 12 I have today. Again, your recommendations are greatly appreciated. BTW, I grew up northwest side of Houston…kindred spirits.
December 25, 2016
Offline
The 16 gauge is the momma bear of the model 12 lineup. Once my little paws find a 16 gauge MEC junior I shall have a gun to go with it. That gun will most likely be a 28″ modified seems pretty darned ideal, quick to the shoulder. Perhaps I am buying things backwards, I’ve way more guns than presses to feed them. It would be very cool if reasonable cost dies were available for a standard press. Cranking out just a few rounds of differing gauge would be a big money saver for many of us. Clunky but doable with a loading block.
February 17, 2026
Offline
Sounds like you have a nice gun and a nice collection. I keep cardboard boxes in my basement and they have always been okay there. Like someone said, I wouldn’t leave the gun in a box. That could draw moisture to the gun and make it rust. I would just keep it in a safe. About once every week or two, take it out and wipe it down with an oily rag. But don’t over-oil it. I store mine upside down/ with the barrels down. I don’t put them in socks. Some people do. I don’t wipe that gooey RIG all over them. I tried that one time and had a mess. Never used it again. I think Clenz-Oil is about the best. My first gun was an Ithaca Model 37 that I bought in 1966. I still have it and it is still pristine- keeping it the way I just explained. I recently bought a hygrometer just for the heck of it. I used to use a Golden Rod, but it got so hot it melted the rubber on the end. So, no more of those. I just use a light bulb, now. 30-50% is about the proper humidity from what I have read. Good luck with your guns.
April 15, 2005
Offline
michadennis said
Hello, looking to get some insights on best way to preserve and value a near pristine Model 12 (shot 3 times) 16Ga in original box with original tape still holding top to bottom and original wax paper packing material. I bought from an Army Colonel that had purchased in Korea in 1959 PX store. Oh, I have an original box of shells purchased at the same time as the shotgun! Gun is in pristine original condition. SN is 17808xx.
I have kept in a gun safe, albeit not a climate controlled safe. Recommendations as to best preservation methods (gun in original box, gun and box separate…?) and valuation.
Thanks all,
MD
The partial serial number you mention tells us that the gun was manufactured in December of 1957.
Like Bill mentioned, I would store the gun and its box separately.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
January 20, 2023
Offline
Concur if you are going to check on them and wipe them down every few weeks. I like Ballistol for that because it is not injurious to wood.
But, if you are not going to check on them for, say, six months or more (perhaps in a distant location), the gooey stuff is indicated because it doesn’t run or evaporate. Yes, it’s a mess to clean off but, when the Navy pulls and stores the big rifles from New Jersey, R.I.G. is what goes in the bores. Or used to.
Goldenrods can be a curse or a blessing, depending on where you live. I used a light bulb for years successfully, although you do have to check fairly often to make sure it hasn’t burned out.
I recently put a thermometer/hygrometer on the outside of my safe with a remote inside, as a sort.of Linus blanket. Every time I pass by and.pull handle to make sure it’s locked, I tap the device and see the inside vs outside numbers. A little OCD but why take a chance?
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
April 15, 2005
Offline
Zebulon said
I used a light bulb for years successfully, although you do have to check fairly often to make sure it hasn’t burned out.
Incandescent light bulbs (the type that generate the needed heat) have long since gone the way of the infamous Dodo birds. LED bulbsdo not generate the heat (watts) needed to accomplish the task.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 17, 2026
Offline
You are absolutely right, Bert. The incandescent bulb is being phased out. That is probably a good thing for the environment’s sake. I was just alarmed that my Golden Rod had the rubber end where the cord goes in- melt a few years ago. I had been using them for decades. That’s why I changed to the bulbs. In my safe, a 40W bulb will last about six months at 24 hours/day. I can still get them at my grocery store and have stocked with enough to last several years. The hygrometer I just got is a blessing. Since it lets me know the humidity and temperature, I have found out I haven’t even needed to use a any heat this winter because the humidity is staying in the mid 40s. And the temperature is about 60 degrees……….I had a buddy years ago who would put his guns up for the winter and coat them with RIG and never touch them all winter. Like Zebulon said, RIG is great for that. I guess I’m a piddler. I like to take them out all the time, wipe them down, shoulder them and handle them. Ha-ha! I put two clays targets up in the corner of the room to dry fire at. I’ll just be glad when it warms up enough to get outside. Take care. 
