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