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Recently about few months ago obtained a Model 25 12 gauge shotgun and thought I would share it as well. Not a big following in the collector realms, however with low numbers of production that could change over the years, one never knows. I wanted one for the fact they are not many produced and you don’t see that many of them, at least in my neck of the woods.
Serial number, 21761 puts it at second year of production I believe. Unfortunately, Manufacture began in 1949 and was discontinued in 1954 after numbers passed 87,937. No records that I know of that break down serial number production per year. Not even my 4th Edition Red Book gives any info on dates besides what is known.
She is tight and locks up good and solid so she hasn’t been messed with. Appears to be original bluing with little wear mostly on the edges and here and there on the receiver and barrel. Choke is Modified cylinder. Bore is nice and shiny no pitting anywhere inside or out. Twenty eight inch barrel.
Furniture appears to have been redone however. No cracks, toe and heel are intact, also has the original buttplate.
The Model 25 was coined a “poor mans” Model 12, and was developed as a lower priced gun as dealers then complained about the high price of the Model 12. All Model 25’s were solid frame no take down models, based upon the Model 12 action.
Offered only in 12 gauge. Chokes were Full, Modified, and Improved Cylinder. Some guns below serial number 47,100 had 26 inch barrels with Improved Cylinder choke, however 28 inch barrels were standard. They did make a riot gun model with a 20 inch Improved Cylinder choke and sling swivels.
Of course special orders with recoil pads and special sights could be ordered then as well. Steel front bead sights were standard, and receivers had matted sighting grooves standard. Hard rubber buttplates were standard. They didn’t fair well as the Model 12 as we all know was the “The Perfect Repeater” and production ended after five years.
Dave
WACA #10119
NRA Member
Hello David;
Nice looking model 25….I had 2…a 28in mod choked..sn10898 that I sold about 10 years ago….and still have one of the riot guns….the riots are hard to find….and most are beat to hell…..the 25 actually handles better than the model 12….
gunut.....
Thanks Gunut! I have never ever laid eyes on an actual Riot Model 25, it is even more rare to find!
When I attended the WACA/OGCA show in September in Wilmington, Ohio I saw, if my memory serves me right without looking back to a previous post about that show, only two Model 25’s. Of all the pawn shops, gun dealers in my area of eastern/northern KY, southern OH, and western/southern WV, only one Model 25 has ever appeared and I frequent them on a regular basis.
Yes most of Model 25’s I have seen were worn badly as well. You don’t see a lot of folks “collecting” them either, nor do they get a lot of kudos cause most people aren’t even familiar with them. I wanted to have one in my collection because there were less than 88,000 made in a five year span. Perhaps they will someday draw a bigger following and perhaps not. One thing for sure though there will be one in my safe and that will be passed down to one of my Grandsons someday!
Dave
WACA #10119
NRA Member
That is a really clean one! I also have one that’s not even close to yours, condition-wise, but I use it to hunt with, and it’s a really nice shooter. Handles like a model 12.
Thanks Richard! I have often wondered why the Model 25 never caught on. I assume because the Model 12 was in my opinion perfect. The Model 25 is not the only model to have a “similar” version made to be a lower cost to customers and or in production cost, or lighter weight models. Some things just can’t be improved upon like the Model 12.
Dave
WACA #10119
NRA Member
I just ran across a really nice 90%+ M-25 28″ full. 37,000 range ,late 1952- early 1953. Wonderful shotguns. Slug shooters and card shooters loved the fixed barrel and accuracy over the sloppy fit mod-12 wobble barrels.
Online
Your description and opinion of the Model 12 is not shared by many.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Nothing wrong with model 12, just that card shooters and slug shooters liked the fixed barrel accuracy over the takedown. We all know how to adjust a loose M12 barrel if there is enough room for adjustment.
I have a model25 with 18in. Barrel serial number107××× haven’t seen any other riots 25s
Brandon,
Winchester did not make a Model 25 (or any other model for that matter) with an 18-inch barrel. Factory Riot Guns will have a 20-inch (or longer) barrel. My bet is that the barrel is marked “FULL” and has been cut down after the fact.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I just got one with a 26″ modified barrel. Four-digit 20xx serial so it should be early 1949. Great condition, very solid, but feels heavier and bulkier than my 1949 model 12. I thought Id have to make the tool described in the disassembly instructions, but was able to pull the trigger group and access magazine to install oak plug (not 10″ like model 12, 25 has a shorter tube). Innards not quite the same as a model 12, but well-made and looking forward to shooting it. Id post pic of it but Photobucket locking up.
Both are 1949 models. Ive tried cleaning up the wood on the model 25, but guess it’s just darker. Kinda cool for me. My first two were both 1927 models, a 16 and 12.
i have a model 25 with only a 3 didget sn 531 can anyone email me what it might be worth my email is [email protected] thank you.
Edward,
You have not provided any details about the gun that can be used to evaluate its value.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Is a model 12 barrel interchangeable with a model 25 barrel? Thanks
No, it is not. The Model 12 is a Take Down, whereas the Model 25 is a Solid Frame gun. The barrels do not attach to the receiver in the same mechanical fashion.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I have a model 25 left to me by my father who was killed when I was three years old.
I took it to a few Turkey Shoots in Ohio thirty years ago but live in Virginia for the past thirty years and
there are no such activities around my mountains.
My question is at the Turkey Shoots there were signs “no modified barrels” and “factory barrels only”
but mine has a thirty inch barrel which is stamped “factory modified” which after protest was allowed to be
used at these events. What are the specs for these “factory modified barrels”.
Thank you I hope you have a great day.
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