Winchester DEER Shotguns|Winchester Shotguns|Forum|Winchester Collector

As many members know I am writing a book on the Winchester shotguns 1964-2006, and in reviewing my “CHAPTER 4.4.  THE MODEL 1200 DEER SHOTGUNS,” I realised I had not mentioned any Winchester Deer Shotguns, so I did a search on “DEER” and got lots of hits, but after 10 pages all I got were rifles.  I then tried DEER “SHOTGUN” and got “Search results for ‘deer shotgun’ (0)”.  In Australia deer are hunted with shotguns, and according to Dave Henderson’s book of 2011, Shotgunning for Deer, in the USA, deer have been hunted with shotguns for over 100 years.  Henderson advised “Of the approximately 10 million whitetail deer hunters nationwide, 4.1 million choose to go afield with shotguns.” so perhaps some WACA members are in the 41%!

From my knowledge of Winchester shotguns, I cannot recall ever seeing a Winchester shotgun marketed as a “Deer” model before 1965, which is where I begin.  Can anyone advise if the Model 12 was ever configured for Deer?

I am of the opinion that Winchester entered the Deer Gun market in 1965 to try to get some market share from Remington, who introduced the 12 gauge Wingmaster Model 870 RSS Rifled Slug Special with slug barrel and rifle sights which sold for $95.95 in 1959.  This was followed in 1963, by the “BRUSHMASTER” MODEL 870 — Deer Gun 12 GAUGE, with Rifle Sight Barrel – The Model 870 “Brushmaster,” made specially to handle rifled slugs and buck shot, is the latest in smashing power for those fast shots in brush country. it was the same as the standard 870 except as follows: “Lightning-fast 20” barrel with fully adjustable rifle-type sights. Stock fitted with rubber recoil pad and white line spacer”.  The selling price was $114.95 in 1963.  

Remington Model 31 was produced from 1931 to 1949, and included RIOT guns.  I have a single note that the Model 31 was produced with a 26 inch barrel as a DEER gun, but no proof.  Was the Model 31 RIOT gun used for deer hunting?

I also understand that the Ithaca 37 Deerslayer was a version with a shortened barrel and rifle-style sighting system, but can anyone give me an approximate date of manufacture?

I would appreciat any information supplied on the mattes raised above.  They form a small part of my introduction, and if used will be acknowledged.

I have a Model 1300 XTR DEER Gun, so I have good photos, but I do not have any good photos of the Model 1200 or the Model 140 or 1400 Deer guns for my book.  If you have one please send me high qality photos with the serial number for my consideration.  In appreciation I will advise by letter, the Year of Manufaacture of the gun, some pertinent details you may not know, and where it fits in my Model 1200 Database.

Messages may also be sent to my Inbox if confidentiality is desired.