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I recently acquired what appears to be a model 1912 20ga 2 3/4″ cylinder choke shotgun made in 1913. I am trying to find out a bit more information on this shotgun and if there is collector value. If my research is correct it was made in 1913, based on the serial number being 19***, among the first 20,000 made. The LOP is 14″ with an 25″ barrel (which was produced 1912-1914 only). The barrel is marked “nickel steel”. It is also stamped CYL, i believe the most common choke was full.
Questions to the forum:
My research shows early on, until 1927 the 20ga shotguns were chambered for 2 1/2in” shells. Is possible they made 2 3/4″ before then? The butt plate has the Winchester markings but it is hard plastic (could it be original?) , would it have been metal? How do I determine value to see if this is a diamond in the rough or lump of coal?
Thanks in advance for any pertinent information!
Walter,
You have indicated a serial number in the 19,000 range. If that is accurate, your Model 1912 was manufactured in March of the year 1913. The 25-imch barrel length was standard for all 20-ga Model 1912 shotguns (through the early 1920s). The chamber length was 2-1/2″ (and unmarked) through 1925. It was in the year 1926 when Winchester changed the chamber length to 2-3/4″ (and marked the guns accordingly). There is a very small chance that somebody special ordered your gun with a 2-3/4 chamber, but the odds are very high that it was rechambered and marked after the fact (sent back to Winchester to be reworked). Based on the location of the chamber marking on the barrel, and how it is specifically marked, it appears to be factory work.
The original factory installed butt plates were black hard rubber, and with age, they hardened and look almost like they are plastic.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
By chance, are the serial numbers different for the barrels?
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
WACA #10293
rwsem said
By chance, are the serial numbers different for the barrels?
Winchester did not serialize the barrels on the Model 1912. The Take Down extensions were marked with the same serial number as the receiver frame.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert,
Thanks much for the information. It is really helpful. The serial number is 19,319 matching both extensions and receiver.
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