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August 25, 2006
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I’m looking at a Model 12 that serials to 1952. 32″ barrel with a Simmons-marked rib. “Winchester Proof Steel” and with a 3″ chamber.
Is there a way I can tell if this is a “Heavy Duck” or a “plain” field model?
Thanks.
Tom,
Does it have a solid red rubber recoil pad? Winchester put their own Vent Ribs on the Heavy Duck Guns,
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 25, 2006
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Thanks. Not sure if this is the original or a replacement buttstock (it doesn’t match the forearm)?
Tom,
It appears to be a Heavy Duck Gun butt stock to me. What does the forend stock look like?
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 25, 2006
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The slide handle stock is the piece that is most likely not original to the gun.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 25, 2006
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Thanks. Any other characteristics that could help me decide if it’s a heavy duck or not?
tom in pittsburgh said
Thanks. Any other characteristics that could help me decide if it’s a heavy duck or not?
Tom,
The barrel marking is the primary characteristic… it should look like the picture below; The second characteristic is the solid red rubber recoil pad.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 25, 2006
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I thought your markings were the same as on the gun I’m looking at, but there are some differences.
tom in pittsburgh said
I thought your markings were the same as on the gun I’m looking at, but there are some differences.
Tom,
The markings on your gun are correct for a Heavy Duck Gun. Winchester made minor changes to the roll stamp die over time. The critical part of the marking is the “FOR SUPER SPEED & SUPER-X” and the “3 IN. CHAM.”
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 25, 2006
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Thanks, Bert – much appreciated.
So – were all Model 12s that had 3” chambers “Heavy Ducks”?
Thanks again!
tom in pittsburgh said
Thanks, Bert – much appreciated.So – were all Model 12s that had 3” chambers “Heavy Ducks”?
Thanks again!
I do not know if that is true or not, but it is my belief that it is the case. Like I mentioned, the other defining characteristic is the solid red rubber recoil pad. I use both the barrel marking and the butt stock configuration to identify the Heavy Duck Gun.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 25, 2006
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Thanks!
Interesting about the barrel markings.All the markings I have seen were like the ones Bert pictured.Good to know there were markings different than those.
I wonder what time frame the different markings were used in?
Edited:
Just for clarification.
The Winchester catalog calls it the “Model 12 Heavy Duck Gun” until end of 1951.
In the 1952 catalog it’s called “Model 12 Duck Gun”,
1953 on, it’s called the “Model 12 Magnum Duck Gun.”
Rick C
The proof marks will be off set and visible if it is a factory installed vent rib. If no proof marks are visible, it is an aftermarket installed rib. Factory installed vent rib “heavy duck” models are few and far between.
Erin
Below is a photo of the off set proof marks on my factory installed “Winchester Special ventilated rib. It’s a 2 pin with donut bases, squiggly line rib top, and no Simmons stamp.
Below that are photo’s of my heavy duck/magnum duck gun barrel stamp and butt pad(plain barrel/no rib). Same year as the one above 1954.
Rick C
RickC said
Thought I would add this just for clarification.The Winchester catalog calls it the “Model 12 Heavy Duck Gun” until end of 1951.
In the 1952 and 1953 catalogs it’s called “Model 12 Duck Gun”,
From 1954 on, it’s called the “Model 12 Magnum Duck Gun.”
Just fyi.
Interesting information.Thanks for posting.Seems I remember seeing the 3 inch Model 12 listed as Magnum Duck Gun some where in the past.
28 gauge said
RickC said
Thought I would add this just for clarification.
The Winchester catalog calls it the “Model 12 Heavy Duck Gun” until end of 1951.
In the 1952 and 1953 catalogs it’s called “Model 12 Duck Gun”,
From 1954 on, it’s called the “Model 12 Magnum Duck Gun.”
Just fyi.
Interesting information.Thanks for posting.Seems I remember seeing the 3 inch Model 12 listed as Magnum Duck Gun some where in the past.
Here’s the “Magnum Duck” call out in the 1956 catalog. I’m trying to find my 1951(“Heavy Duck”) & 1952(“Duck Gun) catalogs showing the changes.
Rick C
RickC said
28 gauge said
RickC said
Thought I would add this just for clarification.
The Winchester catalog calls it the “Model 12 Heavy Duck Gun” until end of 1951.
In the 1952 and 1953 catalogs it’s called “Model 12 Duck Gun”,
From 1954 on, it’s called the “Model 12 Magnum Duck Gun.”
Just fyi.
Interesting information.Thanks for posting.Seems I remember seeing the 3 inch Model 12 listed as Magnum Duck Gun some where in the past.
Here’s the “Magnum Duck” call out in the 1956 catalog. I’m trying to find my 1951(“Heavy Duck”) & 1952(“Duck Gun) catalogs showing the changes.
Cool.Thanks for posting,Rick.Would not mind having one of those Model 12 28 gauge sheet guns for $172.60 or a vent rib 3 inch Model 12 for $153.20.
Did not realize that a vent rib was ever offered on the 3 inch heavy/magnum duck gun.
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