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
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

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!
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

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.
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

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 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
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.
1 Guest(s)
