Winchester Collector - Forum: Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/ Simple:Press Version 6.11.14 Bert H. on Model 12 28 gauge at Morphy Auction https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/model-12-28-gauge-at-morphy-auction/#p178197 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/model-12-28-gauge-at-morphy-auction/#p178197

jlb said
How would one verify this gun other than by physical examination and disassembly?  
 
jlb
  

You answered your own question.  Auction descriptions should never be trusted to be accurate, and they seldom if ever provide the requisite photos of the gun in question.

Bert

]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:43:30 +0000 jlb on Model 12 28 gauge at Morphy Auction https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/model-12-28-gauge-at-morphy-auction/#p178194 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/model-12-28-gauge-at-morphy-auction/#p178194 The May 12th Morphy auction lists a 28 gauge Model 12 # 751304 (auction # 1432) with a solid rib and extensive aftermarket engraving with an auction estimate of $4-6,000.  

I am not a buyer at auctions as my trust level is inadequate.  What may I be missing from this auction item.  How would one verify this gun other than by physical examination and disassembly?  

 

jlb

]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:13:15 +0000 Ben on Model 1897 Article in Spring WACA Magazine https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/model-1897-article-in-spring-waca-magazine/#p178192 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/model-1897-article-in-spring-waca-magazine/#p178192 Bert outdid himself... again!  If you want to get a PhD in Winchester 1897, read & re-read the article in the spring 2026 WACA magazine.  I saved it to my phone for future gun show reference...      

]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:12:07 +0000 Jim F in CT on Looking for an Auto-5 Guru https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/looking-for-an-auto-5-guru/#p178191 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/looking-for-an-auto-5-guru/#p178191

Zebulon said
Thanks, Jim.  I've watched his videos wherein he repairs small bore, high grade Superposed guns that were badly corroded from salt cured stocks. Makes you sick to look at the guns.
  

It sure does! . . . .

I’ve seen a few “in the flesh!”

]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:11:04 +0000 Zebulon on Looking for an Auto-5 Guru https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/looking-for-an-auto-5-guru/#p178179 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/looking-for-an-auto-5-guru/#p178179 Thanks, Jim.  I've watched his videos wherein he repairs small bore, high grade Superposed guns that were badly corroded from salt cured stocks. Makes you sick to look at the guns.

]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:10:05 +0000 Jim F in CT on Looking for an Auto-5 Guru https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/looking-for-an-auto-5-guru/#p178172 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/looking-for-an-auto-5-guru/#p178172 For a lot of people, Art Isaacson (Art’s Gun Shop) is their GURU for the A5!

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:49:36 +0000 Bert H. on WINCHESTER MODEL 12 PIGEON BLUING https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/winchester-model-12-pigeon-bluing/#p178149 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/winchester-model-12-pigeon-bluing/#p178149 Du-Lite solution bluing.

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:50:23 +0000 Doc Lane on WINCHESTER MODEL 12 PIGEON BLUING https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/winchester-model-12-pigeon-bluing/#p178148 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/winchester-model-12-pigeon-bluing/#p178148 Picked up a Winchester model 12 PIGEON at the Wanenmacher show today no bluing on barrel this is a Y prefix shotgun. What was bluing process on the barrels? rust or salt bluing.

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:46:17 +0000 Colsuper on New member...Model 12 Heavy Duck confirmation questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/new-member-model-12-heavy-duck-confirmation-questions/#p177883 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/new-member-model-12-heavy-duck-confirmation-questions/#p177883 I looked at a Model 12 Heavy Duck at auction 5 or so years ago that had a donut base rib and had "Simmons" in very light script, located even or past the end of the magazine tube on the left side. I did not see any address or other markings on the rib.  After i pointed out the Simmons marking the auctioneer was somewhat annoyed, but did announce that it was a Simmons rib and not a Winchester rib. 

 

Kevin

]]> Sun, 05 Apr 2026 02:03:01 +0000 jlb on New member...Model 12 Heavy Duck confirmation questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/new-member-model-12-heavy-duck-confirmation-questions/#p177835 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/new-member-model-12-heavy-duck-confirmation-questions/#p177835 My 28 gauge Model 12 has a donut rib that for years I thought was an unmarked Simmons rib.  On very close inspection under good light and my fly tying magnifier I can see a script signature for Simmons.  Thus sometimes the markings are very faint at least to old and not so old eyes.

I have attempted to add an image but alas my computer skills resemble my 5 stand shooting.

 

jlb

]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:40:09 +0000 Steven Gabrielli on Model 12 QUESTION https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/model-12-question-2/#p177833 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/model-12-question-2/#p177833 Ah thanks to you all.

]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:14:02 +0000 Bert H. on Model 12 QUESTION https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/model-12-question-2/#p177832 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/model-12-question-2/#p177832 It is the magazine tube stop tab (to prevent ramming the forward end of slide handle into magazine band when taking the gun down).

Bert

]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:06:23 +0000 MidwestCrisis on Model 12 QUESTION https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/model-12-question-2/#p177827 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/model-12-question-2/#p177827 IMG_1896.jpegMy 97 has the same thing.  I thought it was a stop. When you lift the mag tube to take it down it stops on the mag holder 

]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:52:39 +0000 Zebulon on Looking for an Auto-5 Guru https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/looking-for-an-auto-5-guru/#p177814 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/looking-for-an-auto-5-guru/#p177814 Before I go "outside the wire" -- more than a few of us collect Browning as well as Winchester -- is there anyone here who might advise me by PM on the subject of Auto-Five slug guns? 

I went to consign a pistol yesterday to a local dealer I know because it is a lot of trouble to auction and deliver one anymore. I came home with the best looking 12 gauge Standard weight (blue trigger) A5 I've ever seen. M prefix serial for a 1957 DOM. 99%.  Sling stud on buttstock and in mag cap. American import not Euro gun. An L prefix 1955 Browning marked barrel with NO CHOKE CODE,  24" with ramped front and rear iron sights. According to Marty Huber. Browning stopped matching serials of barrel to receiver postwar so not necessarily a replacement. Original horn buttplate. 2.75" chamber. 

What clues should I look for?

]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:05:19 +0000 Steven Gabrielli on Model 12 QUESTION https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/model-12-question-2/#p177805 Winchester Shotguns https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shotguns/model-12-question-2/#p177805 I was thinking it allowed air to escape will loading a full mag, IDK. Never saw that on other makes of pump guns, was it really needed?

]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:46:12 +0000