Model 12 odd barrel length ? | Winchester Shotguns | Forum

I bought a M12 several years ago that had been shot to death, no finish ,and what I thought was a cut off barrel.I believe the gun to be original as all the surfaces are the same. The gun was made in 1923 and the barrel markings are  : : Nickel steel —-Trade Mark —-MOD  12-16GA.   MOD

                                                                                                                                         WINCHESTER

                                                                                                                              REG IN U.S. PAT.OFF.&FGN

MADE IN U.S.A.WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN CONN PAT JUNE 2 1896

FEB.22 JUNE.14.1898.SEPT.7.1909.MAY.17.24.31.JUNE7.14.28.JULY.5.12.??.JULY.22.1913

On the under side ::     VP( in an oval ) MNS    a triangle  an  8     MO(? )    23    

The barrel length is 23 inches  My question is it just a coincident that the barrel has a 23 stamped on it and it was cut off or was if factory made 23 inch barrel?