Winchester Collector - Forum: Winchester Shotguns

graemea on Winchester 1200 serial number date?

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 19:29:19 +0000

I just bought this rather rough 1200 Riot, serial number L1369253.

I haven't seen one in NZ before. I'm keen to find out its DOB. Photos to come when I can work out how to attach and send.

Cheers, Graeme

Ricklin on A&F Model 21 orphaned barrel, case and tag

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 18:09:10 +0000

Good thinkin Bill. In addition to the donation to Cody write the email for the staffer so they can simply plug in the email address or put it in an envelope and snail mail it to the last individual that enquired.

I know I would be thrilled to reunite the set were I the owner. What you have now has much greater worth if it can find it's way home.

Bert H. on Winchester Model 1912 First Year

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 17:43:45 +0000

Corey Freeman said
I have a 1987 that I have to finish fixing

Now you are barking up the right tree

Bert H. on Winchester Model 1912 First Year

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 17:39:10 +0000

I agree... it looks like it is "440".

S/N 17968 = March 1913

Bert

Corey Freeman on Winchester Model 1912 First Year

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 17:32:24 +0000

Closer looks at pics and tool marks are evident. Looks like the next number is a 0...

Just 2 weeks before I bought a low 5 digit one and it has the proper presentation.

Bert H. on model 37 shootguns

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 16:19:14 +0000

Ricklin said
21 bucks for the takedown gun
12 bucks for another barrel
I would assume take down was a requirement for Addl. barrels. Given a solid frame gun was only 16, 4 dollars more bought an entire gun.
Now we know why 2 and 3 barrel sets are not often seen.

Of the (108) Single Shot 20-ga Shotguns that I have found and documented thus far, (64) of them are Take Downs, and none of them have a second interchangeable barrel. With the only option being a different choke, there was very little reason to order a second barrel. Of the (108) found thus far, (90) are FULL choke, (10) are MOD choke, and (8) are CYL bore.

Bert

Corey Freeman on Winchester Model 1912 First Year

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 16:15:52 +0000

I have a 1987 that I have to finish fixing then I'll document the 1912 better while investigating.

Ricklin on Model 12"s

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 16:11:51 +0000

Since they have been reblued a trap or skeet mark may get another hundred bucks or so. The rebluing is the kiss of death for collectors.

Across the pond fine English guns can be returned to the manufacturer to be reblacked and that enhances their value. Here in the good old USA? Colt did offer factory refinishing for many years. I do not know what services for Colt guns are still available. I rather doubt that service is still avalable.

Winchester used different types of finishing process's over their history. That can make determining the originality the task of an expert. Often and expert on that particular model.

Then of course there is Turnbull who can actually make an old gun new. Turnbull now includes internal marks on their gun restorations to keep sellers honest. In most cases a Turnbull restoration is more costly than buying a near perfect example of the same gun. I guess some folks fortunes do change.

Ricklin on Winchester Model 42 .410 Pump Action

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 14:56:32 +0000

Very popular with collectors. Make sure you get all the money. The closed auctions on gunbroker are very useful, the asking prices are often someones fantasy. For common everyday guns closed Gunbroker auctions are practically gospel. For highly collectable guns, not very reliable.

Ricklin on model 37 shootguns

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 14:50:37 +0000

I was looking at the percentage of difference. For another 4 bucks I would get an entire gun. We do not see many guns today with an extra barrel. I would think that there are also cases of an Addl barrel being separated from it's receiver.

Ricklin on Winchester Model 1912 First Year

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 14:44:46 +0000

Your further pictures are much better. Big question mark, perhaps the acid will reveal the numbers.

Bert H. on Winchester Model 1912 First Year

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 02:58:48 +0000

Corey Freeman said
Thanks Bert.
Of course I'll be disappointed, but I'd rather know what I'm dealing with too.
I actually have some the etching acid that's used to raise serial numbers from guns that were... uh... modified for other reasons. I'll give it a shot and see if something reveals itself.

Based on the position of the "44" on the receiver frame, I suspect that the original serial number is actually "44?" (3-digits). Hopefully the acid will reveal the truth.

Bert

Corey Freeman on Winchester Model 1912 First Year

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 01:30:45 +0000

Thanks Bert.

Of course I'll be disappointed, but I'd rather know what I'm dealing with too.

I actually have some the etching acid that's used to raise serial numbers from guns that were... uh... modified for other reasons. I'll give it a shot and see if something reveals itself.

Bert H. on Winchester Model 1912 First Year

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:06:33 +0000

This is what a serial number marking looks like on a better condition Model 12;

Bert

Bert H. on Winchester Model 1912 First Year

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:02:58 +0000

Your last picture shows the take down extension.

I have cropped it and placed a red circle around what appears to be the leading "4" digit stamped on the extension.

Bert