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I have been looking for a nice clean pre war M 12 Heavy duck for a long time and I finally found one , does anyone know how many pre war HD’s are out there, I can find a ton of 1946 and later but I have only seen 4 or 5 pre wars, and I have never seen any earlier than 1939 mine is ser # 738xxx also it looks like the “3 In” is hands struck , the one I just got is about a 98% original finish , I will get some pics on later today Thanks All for any Info
John P said
I have been looking for a nice clean pre war M 12 Heavy duck for a long time and I finally found one , does anyone know how many pre war HD’s are out there, I can find a ton of 1946 and later but I have only seen 4 or 5 pre wars, and I have never seen any earlier than 1939 mine is ser # 738xxx also it looks like the “3 In” is hands struck , the one I just got is about a 98% original finish , I will get some pics on later today Thanks All for any Info
John,
You are apparently using an erroneous date of manufacture reference source. Model 12 serial numbers 738000 – 738999 were all manufactured in August 1936. Production of the Model 12 Heavy Duck Gun began in February 1935, and it was temporarily halted in early 1942 (in support of the WW II production efforts). There are no surviving records to tells us exactly how many were manufactured.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I guess I should been clearer – I know they started 3 in 1935 and mine that I just got is a 1936 gun I was asking if anyone has seen any earlier than 39 I have only seen a couple before 1939 , and wanted to know if they are scarcer than the post war 3in 12’s, mine also has a 30″ bbl
Yes, I have seen at least a few dozen early production Heavy Duck Guns. The time period encompassing 1935 – 1942 (8-years of production) versus 1946 – 1963 (18-years of production) logically indicates that it is highly likely that fewer pre-War Heavy Duck Guns were manufactured. Again though, there are no surviving records available to definitively answer that assumption.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I have always liked the Heavy Duck Model 12. A Pre War gun with a 32 inch barrel, and a solid rib would be pretty desirable in decent condition. The Heavy Duck guns were cataloged with a Winchester Special vent rib from 1954-1957. They were available with the donut style first then the round post. These factory vent rib Models are scarce, and don’t come up for sale often.
John P said
well i just figured out that i cant post pics so I can send them
If you send the pictures to my email, I will post them for you – [email protected]
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks Bert, one thing I noticed on this one is the Super markings and the win markings there both one line I don’t know if that uncommon but I have not seen it before
and those High walls are really nice, Thats one of the “Wins” I want to get and never have , I would like to find one in 38-55
John P said
Thanks Bert, one thing I noticed on this one is the Super markings and the win markings there both one line I don’t know if that uncommon but I have not seen it before
Most of the Heavy Duck Guns are marked with like this;
Your early production HD appears to have the “3 IN” and “FULL” stamped separately (by hand).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
John P said
and those High walls are really nice, Thats one of the “Wins” I want to get and never have , I would like to find one in 38-55
The three high-walls in my signature picture are
top – 50-95 Express
middle – 405 WCF
bottom – 40-90 Ballard
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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