Recently picked up an almost mint condition Winchester Model 12.From the dating list provided on this site it was made in 1957.Most Model 12 guns in my area were used for waterfowl hunting.These guns usually had 30 inch full choke barrels.The gun I recently obtained has a 28 inch modified barrel.Sorry computer skills to poor to post pictures.
Guessing who ever bought it new, planned on using it for upland hunting.Most likely pheasants and never or rarely went after them,considering the condition of the gun.
Just wondering if the 28 inch modified guns are harder to find than the 30 inch full choke guns?I suppose in an area of pheasant hunting, the modified choke guns would be easier to come across than the 30 inch full?
I have not actually surveyed, but would guess full chokes are at least 75%-80% of the model 12s manufactured. The modified choke is not nearly as common. Cylinder or improved cylinder are scarcer yet. It would be interesting to know the actual production numbers of each choke.
The dates you see marked on the barrel are the various Patent dates associated with the Model 1912 (and its predecessor, the Model 1897).
You did not provide any of the necessary details that are needed to determine the potential value. At a minimum, we need to know which variation it is, the barrel length, choke, any non-standard items, and the graded condition. I highly recommend that you start with a set of clear detailed pictures of the gun, to include all of the markings on the barrel.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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