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Good afternoon,
my local gun shop has a Model 25 12 gauge for sale. They are asking 695.00 for it. The gun appears to be in good condition and has seen little use.
from my research, this particular model appears to be shunned by collectors, despite having a relatively low model run of 88,000 guns.
is this a worthy collectible?
thanks
Todd
Todd,
You pose a good question… and I doubt that there is a definitive answer. Simply from my personal perspective, and because the Model 25 is a derivative of the Model 12, it is a collectable gun. Now having made that statement, in the 40+ years I have been collecting Winchesters, I have yet to meet anyone that specifically collects (or studies) the Model 25. The Model 25 would be best described as a “conundrum” Winchester model.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
If you are a Winchester Shotgun collector and enjoy the Model 12, you will like the Model 25. It is simply overlooked by most collectors, it is good gun and likely not overly collected because most collectors don’t know about it.
It is basically a solid-frame Model 12, it didn’t have any frills, and was only sold in 12 gauge. Winchester began working on the Model 25 in 1947 and finally offered it in the Catalog of 1950. Yet four years later it was discontinued. So I don’t think it was considered a grand success by the company. Especially when you compare it to the over 2 Million produced Model 12.
It was an attempt by Winchester to gain medium priced market sales, but Winchester could never overcome the foothold of Mossberg, Ithaca and the like.
It maybe a fair price, of course depending on condition. I’ll still try to talk them down some, at least to $600 or lower, but that’s just me.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Don’t know much about collection value of it, but the Mod 25 every bit as good as the Mod 12. I hunted with a 25 pretty much all thru 80’s. My dad was a Winchester shotguns lover. Between my dad and brothers, we would just often swap, or give each other what we had. We where 99% squirrel hunters, and in these mountains a good tight choked shotgun was our rifle!
I traded a 20ga Mod 12, 26″ Mod barrel for the Mod 25, and considered it great gain! Killed a lotta squirrels with it. Wish I’d kept it! My dad used a lotta Winchester SG’s, yes Mod 12’s, but his favorite was the Mod 50, which I still have. Pumps are too noisy when you’re sitting under a big hickory loaded with squirrels. My favorite is still the Mod 37 or the 370 16ga I still have.
We even hunted with a Mid 11 long time, the old man killers you don’t see too many of.
I purchased the Model 25 yesterday as I considered it an “orphan Winchester”.
I am not able to locate the year of production on the Winchester Serial Number lookup. The serial number is 75887. Is there a resource to determine the year of manufacture?
thanks
Todd
Read Mavericks post. This may be the best info you might find. 1947 to 1954.
[email protected] said
I purchased the Model 25 yesterday as I considered it an “orphan Winchester”.I am not able to locate the year of production on the Winchester Serial Number lookup. The serial number is 75887. Is there a resource to determine the year of manufacture?
thanks
Todd
Based on the published number that were manufactured (87,000+), I suspect that your “orphan” was manufactured late in the year 1953 or early 1954. Pauline Muerrle has at least some of the Model 25 serialization records – Pauline Muerrle – Winchester Factory Engraver, Author and Historian
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I forgot Pauline had the numbers for the Model 25.
She’ll be able to make you a letter on your serial number.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
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