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[Image Can Not Be Found]Hey folks – I am looking for a little help identifying exactly what quality of gun I have on my hands. I recently acquired a model 12 with a SN that places it as a 1922. 26″ cylinder bore – Nickel steel. I am wanting to use this gun for a variety of hunts, and would like to be able to add a choke tube. With that said, I don’t want to add a choke tube and alter this gun if it will harm its’ value. I could always have an alternate barrel. Thanks in advance for any help!
FYI – first post, and I don’t yet have authority to add images.
Tom,
The 26-inch CYL bore barrel was a special order configuration for a 12-ga Model 12. Be advised that nearly all of the online data sources for determining the date of manufacture list erroneous dates based on the given serial number.
You will need to put you pictures on a photo hosting website, then post the URL to them here on the WACA forum.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Here are a few. Let me know what other pics would be helpful.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yJ5kfhtujvPjJQdB9
[Image Can Not Be Found]
Online
Tom Race said I am wanting to use this gun for a variety of hunts, and would like to be able to add a choke tube. With that said, I don’t want to add a choke tube and alter this gun if it will harm its’ value. I could always have an alternate barrel.
Tom, You show very good sense in asking, because adding that choke would put about a 50% hurt on its value! The alternate brl would allow you to have your cake & eat it , too.
Tom,
If it is truly a 1922 production gun, both the slide handle stock and the butt stock have been replaced. The recoil pad is positively not original. Can you post a clear picture showing the factory markings on the barrel?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
You guys know I’m not a modern gun guy so…
When were Model 12 barrels made to be safe when shooting steel shot? My Dad ringed the barrel on his 1955 A5 Browning by shooting steel too much. His was a modified barrel and it ringed right where the choke started.
Chuck said
You guys know I’m not a modern gun guy so…When were Model 12 barrels made to be safe when shooting steel shot? My Dad ringed the barrel on his 1955 A5 Browning by shooting steel too much. His was a modified barrel and it ringed right where the choke started.
You forget–it’s only in Cally that lead shot is outlawed, outside of waterfowl hunting.
Chuck, First, early in the spotty use of steel shot, I was in south eastern TX for snow geese in Dec of 1981. South of I-10 required steel. I promptly scored my barrel in my A-5 from chamber to muzzle! I have since been told by Browning years ago that all Belgian A-5s will not handle steel shot. It is my further understanding the same is true of all model 12 Winchesters. I can not quote a source, tho. Seems to me while the Browning A-5s and the Winchester Model 1912 or 12s have great burst strength, the surfaces of the bore are too soft and will score plus large shot can bridge at the choke and cause a bulge or ring. You are supposed to use the shells for old doubles and old “classic” guns made with Bismuth. Now, I’ve no doubt there are folks who have shot many many shells with steel or even the harder alloys without issues they know of. FWIW, my inherited Remington Model 11 from way back was slightly bulged at the beginning of the choke from either too many shells of large shot size or perhaps being partly plugged. Patterns were quite good still. It was my Grandpa’s brother’s gun, and they shot ducks both fall and spring. It had a LOT of ammo through it. Personal opinion only. But take it for what it may be worth. Tim
Here are
Bert H. said
Tom,If it is truly a 1922 production gun, both the slide handle stock and the butt stock have been replaced. The recoil pad is positively not original. Can you post a clear picture showing the factory markings on the barrel?
Bert
Here are a few more pics with the markings.
clarence said
You forget–it’s only in Cally that lead shot is outlawed, outside of waterfowl hunting.
Clarence I did not forget. My Dad lived in Iowa and yes he was using steel for waterfowl. I don’t think Ca. is the only state trying to phase out lead. My point was that many older shotguns are not really set up for some of the lead replacement shot. Maybe if you have no choke ??
Tim, the ring did not stop my Dad from shooting it. I have the gun now but I won’t shoot it.
Tom Race said
Here areHere are a few more pics with the markings.
The S/N appears to be in the 277600 range, and if correct, that indicates it was manufactured in November, 1920.
The factory markings on the barrel appear to be correct. That stated, it is clearly evident that the gun was reblued sometime in its past life.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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