Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
Winchester 1200 serial number date?
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Avatar
Mark George
Guest
WACA Guest
1
June 19, 2020 - 12:08 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I have a 1200 that I bought in about 1965? I believe I bought it new. Serial 398083. I have tried to look up mfg. date. Please help. Thanks,

Avatar
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 12194
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
June 19, 2020 - 2:59 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hello Mark,

Production of the Model 1200 began in the year 1964, starting with serial number 100000.  It is not documented how many were produced per year, and there are no known serialization tables for the early production years (1964 – 1971).  Serial number L739716 is listed as the last serial number manufactured in the year 1972.  That indicates that Winchester had manufactured 639,716 Model 1200 shotguns in the first 9-years of production (approximately 71,000 per year).  If we assume a relatively linear production rate, that would indicate that your gun with serial number 398083 was manufactured early in the year 1968.  In November of 1968, the Gun Control Act (GCA) of 1968 was enacted into law, and as a result of that law, Winchester added the “L” prefix to the Model 1200 serial numbers.  Your Model 1200 was manufactured before Winchester made that required change.

Bert

WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
High-walls-1-002-C-reduced2.jpg

Avatar
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 119
Member Since:
November 26, 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
June 19, 2020 - 5:19 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I agree with Bert.  The first Military contract for Model 1200 shotguns was made in early 1968, and the serial numbers for the Military shotguns started around 400,000.  So a gun in the 390,xxx range would likely have been made in early 1968.

Avatar
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 4
Member Since:
November 30, 2022
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
November 30, 2022 - 10:37 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Anyone willing or able to help me out…

I inherited my stepfathers Winchester 1200 Ser# L541068 

what info I did find was pretty minimal, realized the “L” prefix postdates the GCA of 1968.

is anyone able to help me dial the date a bit more? 

Appreciate any help.

 

Always been a bow and rifle hunter. 

1st shot gun and am excited to tag the 1st Turkey, ring neck, or grouse.

 

Thanks all.

 

Oregon Guy

Avatar
Teri Evans
Guest
WACA Guest
5
September 21, 2023 - 4:16 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Trying to “date” and value a Winchester 1200 Defender (s/n L1327581) in mint condition. Never been shot to our knowledge. Thanks in advance to anyone who can assist. 

Avatar
Daniel
Guest
WACA Guest
6
October 25, 2023 - 7:02 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I picked up a Winchester 1200 with serial #112686

Going by the information posted, I would guess my shotgun was one of the earlier ones produced in 1964. 

Can anyone confer? 

Thanks kindly!

Avatar
Kermit
Guest
WACA Guest
7
May 18, 2024 - 11:17 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I’ll throw a weird one into the mix here:
I have a Winchester 1200, Serial # L 2234**.  Yes, has the L, yes, six digit serial, and yes, from what little I can tell, that serial is “too old” to have the L prefix.
Adding to that, the L looks like it was stamped after the serial number was.  The numerics are crisp and clean, but with no raised edge from the stamping.  The L has “flash” around it, and a slight raised edge.  Additionally, the L is also not quite on-line with the numbers.  Neither numbers nor letter appear to have been ever refinished either; both are nice and even in the stamping, with zero “melting” of the edges.
If I HAD to guess, I would say this was a post-68 sale gun, but a pre-68 production receiver that may well have gotten lost for a while and sat around the factory.
So there’s some weird and odd birds out there!

Avatar
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 12194
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
May 18, 2024 - 11:47 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Kermit said
I’ll throw a weird one into the mix here:

I have a Winchester 1200, Serial # L 2234**.  Yes, has the L, yes, six digit serial, and yes, from what little I can tell, that serial is “too old” to have the L prefix.

Adding to that, the L looks like it was stamped after the serial number was.  The numerics are crisp and clean, but with no raised edge from the stamping.  The L has “flash” around it, and a slight raised edge.  Additionally, the L is also not quite on-line with the numbers.  Neither numbers nor letter appear to have been ever refinished either; both are nice and even in the stamping, with zero “melting” of the edges.

If I HAD to guess, I would say this was a post-68 sale gun, but a pre-68 production receiver that may well have gotten lost for a while and sat around the factory.

So there’s some weird and odd birds out there!

  

Pictures ??

WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
High-walls-1-002-C-reduced2.jpg

Avatar
Kermit
Guest
WACA Guest
9
May 24, 2024 - 5:04 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Bert H. said

Kermit said

I’ll throw a weird one into the mix here:

I have a Winchester 1200, Serial # L 2234**.  Yes, has the L, yes, six digit serial, and yes, from what little I can tell, that serial is “too old” to have the L prefix.

Adding to that, the L looks like it was stamped after the serial number was.  The numerics are crisp and clean, but with no raised edge from the stamping.  The L has “flash” around it, and a slight raised edge.  Additionally, the L is also not quite on-line with the numbers.  Neither numbers nor letter appear to have been ever refinished either; both are nice and even in the stamping, with zero “melting” of the edges.

If I HAD to guess, I would say this was a post-68 sale gun, but a pre-68 production receiver that may well have gotten lost for a while and sat around the factory.

So there’s some weird and odd birds out there!

  

Pictures ??

  

I don’t have pictures at the moment, unfortunately.  I actually found this thread via searching to find a DoM for it, hence the guest post bit.  Got some stuff to do today, but I’ll see if I can scrounge time to get a snap of the serial later on today.

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 38
Member Since:
January 28, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
June 1, 2024 - 12:25 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

This shotgun was made in late 1967, and is one of the first of the Model 1400 Mk II guns sold.  It has the woodwork of the 1968 winchesters.  A few photos are often helpful for identification, as well as the Gauge. 

Avatar
Jason Medellin
Guest
WACA Guest
11
June 8, 2024 - 11:33 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

So I just purchased a Winchester 1200 12ga with serial number 151467 wanting to see what year it was made and a value.

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 38
Member Since:
January 28, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
12
June 13, 2024 - 9:47 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Dear Jason

Your Model 1200 was stamped with its Serial Number 151467 on September 11 1964, and should have a RED W Pistol Grio Cap.  However I would class this as 1965 production due to the taken to manufacture and ship.

Avatar
Erik
Guest
WACA Guest
13
July 19, 2024 - 11:42 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Just out of curiosity, what does it mean when a receiver has a “W” after the serial number? I ran across a 1200 on GB earlier and it’s serial is 149215W.

Avatar
Ryan
Guest
WACA Guest
14
September 5, 2024 - 12:37 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I have a model 1200 Winchester 12 gauge shotgun. Serial number is 467974. I’m not able to find any info on it or when it was made. I got this gun from my dad as a present but would like to know how old it is. Any help is appreciated.

Avatar
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 12194
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
15
September 5, 2024 - 3:58 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Based on the serial number, it was most likely manufactured in early 1968.

WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
High-walls-1-002-C-reduced2.jpg

Avatar
Chris
Guest
WACA Guest
16
October 10, 2024 - 12:39 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I have recently picked up a 1200 with number 145xxx. Does this mean it was most likely in the middle of the first year of production? Thanks

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 38
Member Since:
January 28, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
17
October 29, 2024 - 9:00 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

There is another post on this subject called “winchester 1200 dating” where there are 110 posts.

I have been collating a data base of Serial numbers with year of manufacture for the Model 1200.  I started it in 2009, but it has been hard as I rely on sellers either stating the Serial Number or showing a photo, but I am close to completing it.  I need more photos with serial numbers to fill in some gaps to finalize my database and I am happy to provide an estimate of manufacture year provided you send photos.  In some cases I may be out by a year, but thats all, and I will say so.  Your photos may be the clincher for a particular year. 

If you want a close estimate of the date of manufacture, send the query to my email [email protected] with good photos including the serial number, the barrel address and the Butt Plate/Pad.  I can do the Model 120, 140, 1300 1400 and 1500, as well as the Models 2200 and 2400.  Or, if you do post and include photos send me an email as I do not go on Forum often.

As a measure of good faith I advise:

See Post 12.

Kermit Post 7, Your L was added by Winchester post 1968 when the gun was returned for repair. # L 2234** was stamped on September 01, 1965 and would be 1966 production, but need photos of the checkering to confirm.  Photos?

Ryan, Post 14, # 467974, stamped October 1968, late 1968 production. Photos?

Chris, Post 16, 145xxx, Stamped September 1964, produced November 1968, 1965 production – Love to confirm with photos.

Keith

 

 

 

 

  

Avatar
Heather
Guest
WACA Guest
18
November 26, 2024 - 9:59 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I inherited my late husband’s gun collection. On the collection I have a Winchester model 1200 serial number 450625. Based on previous posts I’m thinking this shotgun was manufactured after 1968, probably 1969 or later. Can anyone narrow down the production date? Thanks in advance. 

Avatar
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 12194
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
19
November 26, 2024 - 10:43 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Heather said
I inherited my late husband’s gun collection. On the collection I have a Winchester model 1200 serial number 450625. Based on previous posts I’m thinking this shotgun was manufactured after 1968, probably 1969 or later. Can anyone narrow down the production date? Thanks in advance.   

Heather,

If it does not have an “L” prefix, that indicates that it was manufactured before November 1968.  Production of the Model 1200 began in 1964 (beginning with s/n 100000).  Your Model 1200 was most likely manufactured in late 1967 or early 1968.

Bert

WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
High-walls-1-002-C-reduced2.jpg

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 38
Member Since:
January 28, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
20
December 14, 2024 - 1:15 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Heather

I can confirm the gun was 1968 manufacture. I can give you the day and month the gun had the serial number applied. I can also give give a close estimate of the date of manufacture and the Model Number (the UPC) if I am given photos plus the barrel length and choke. Winchester made 39 different variants (each with its own UPC) of the Model 1200 in 11 different styles in 1968.  I need more photos of guns with serial numbers to fill in some gaps in my database and I am happy to provide additional details provided you send photos.

The photos I would like are Overall Left and Right view, Serial Number (with the breech closer) and the underside of the receiver, Left Stock, Butt plate or recoil pad, Left receiver, Forearm and Barrel Address, close up Barrel Address (check both sides of the barrel in 1969), Front sight) any other sight – mid barrel or rear sight), Pistol Grip Cap, Left side of receiver, and  Right side of receiver (Breech closed).  If you can’t take them all please do what you can.

My email has been out of action from December 3, so I do not send photos there yet, until I get it operating.  Alternately upload them in a reply to this post.

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 4623
Currently Online: Chuck, 426crown, sb, Erin Grivicich, Zebulon, Alaska94, Rhinoboy
Guest(s) 349
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 7119
TXGunNut: 5926
Chuck: 5340
steve004: 4871
1873man: 4568
Big Larry: 2475
twobit: 2416
mrcvs: 2054
TR: 1838
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 18
Topics: 14053
Posts: 124310

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1975
Members: 9590
Moderators: 4
Admins: 3
Navigation