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Winchester Model 12 Serial Numbers Questions
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January 5, 2021 - 10:04 pm
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 No doubt this has been asked before,but what was the last serial number for the original Model 12?From what I understand  there is a number for the end of production in 1963.Any one happen to know what it is.I have read a number of different answers.

 

   Also there were some Model 12 guns assemble post 64, from original parts.Were these guns all assembled in 1964 or were they sent to the Winchester Custom Shop to be assembled over a period of time?What was the final number of Model 12 guns made using these left over parts?Again I have read different numbers for this.

 

 Just picked up a Model 12 today that lists   manufacture as 1963 ,using the dating on this site.I know it is not the last one,just made in the last listed year.Smile

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January 6, 2021 - 1:59 am
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Dan,

Production of the Model 12 did not actually end in 1963. Instead it was continuous per the factory serialization records through May 28th, 1964, which ended @ 1970885. The year 1963 ended at serial number 1968260.

Bert

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January 6, 2021 - 12:22 pm
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 Thanks for that information,Bert.

  Seems to me I read or saw it in a Winchester catalogue ,that some Model 12 guns were produced in the Winchester Custom Gun Shop between 1964 and the reintroduction of the Model 12 ,in I believe 1972.If so, I wonder if these guns were Y guns or guns made from old left over parts?

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January 6, 2021 - 4:00 pm
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28 gauge said
 Thanks for that information,Bert.

  Seems to me I read or saw it in a Winchester catalogue ,that some Model 12 guns were produced in the Winchester Custom Gun Shop between 1964 and the reintroduction of the Model 12 ,in I believe 1972.If so, I wonder if these guns were Y guns or guns made from old left over parts?  

I have no idea, but I suspect that latter theory would be more likely.

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January 8, 2021 - 3:07 pm
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https://www.trapshooters.com/threads/winchester-y-model.882633/

 

 Found this while looking around on the net.The number 7 post, tells of a letter from Winchester concerning the parts left over from the original Model 12 run.

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January 8, 2021 - 3:28 pm
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28 gauge said
https://www.trapshooters.com/threads/winchester-y-model.882633/

 

 Found this while looking around on the net.The number 7 post, tells of a letter from Winchester concerning the parts left over from the original Model 12 run.  

Very interesting… and a good job finding that tidbit of information.  I would love to see that letter from Bruno Pardee.

It appears that some of the leftover receivers were not “Y” series, and that some of them were, based solely on if they were pre or post November 1968 (GCA).

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January 8, 2021 - 4:50 pm
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 Thanks for the kind words ,Bert.I take that as high praise .

 

   Yes, I thought it interesting as well ,that some of the left over Model 12 part guns  were Y guns and some were not.Since the serial numbers were put on the receivers back in 1963,those Model 12 guns made after 1968 ,till the new Model 12 guns were introduced in 1972,must of had the Y added to the serial number already on the receivers.If so, it is then possible to have an earlier serial number with a Y and a later serial number without a Y.Depending on what receiver was used at what time.

 

 Yes, it would be most interesting to see the  Bruno Pardee letter.

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May 28, 2021 - 4:06 pm
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I have a Model 12 Skeet Gun #1975001 with 5 pattern engraving and gold inlays which I was told was a post 64 Custom Shop gun with pre 64 parts.  The wood and checkering are spectacular as well.

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May 28, 2021 - 4:27 pm
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[email protected] said
I have a Model 12 Skeet Gun #1975001 with 5 pattern engraving and gold inlays which I was told was a post 64 Custom Shop gun with pre 64 parts.  The wood and checkering are spectacular as well.  

The last Model 12 S/N listed in the PR records is 1970885 (manufactured on May 28th, 1964).  My recommendation is to contact Pauline Muerrle – Pauline Muerrle – Winchester Factory Engraver, Author and Historian  If anyone has information about your gun, it will be her.

Bert

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May 28, 2021 - 5:02 pm
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A friend who is far more knowledgeable than I contacted Pauline to get me that information.  As I recall, she may have been the engraver.

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May 28, 2021 - 5:08 pm
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[email protected] said
A friend who is far more knowledgeable than I contacted Pauline to get me that information.  As I recall, she may have been the engraver.  

If the gun was manufactured and engraved in the 1960s, it could not have been her work (she is not old enough to have worked on or engraved anything from that time period).

Does the serial number on your gun have a “Y” prefix?  The “Y” was added in late 1968.

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May 28, 2021 - 5:56 pm
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It does not have a Y.  I was concerned about the number when I bought it close to 20 years ago.  A friend who is a third generation dealer (not the seller) looked into it for me.  Also remember him telling me these guns received serial numbers ending in “0” or “1”.  As I recall, it was done in 1966 which is my birth year.  I did e-mail Pauline Muerrle to see if she knew anything about the gun and changing an inlaid initial on a Model 21. I will try to take and post some pictures.  I actually shoot skeet with the gun and it always draws a lot of attention.  Definately would like to know more about it.

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June 1, 2021 - 2:06 am
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28 gauge said
https://www.trapshooters.com/threads/winchester-y-model.882633/

 

 Found this while looking around on the net.The number 7 post, tells of a letter from Winchester concerning the parts left over from the original Model 12 run.  

Great find, thanks for the link. My M12 Trap (Y2025805) is some pretty nice eye candy and I enjoy shooting a round of trap with it now and then. Last time I shot it better than my 725 Trap.

 

Mike

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August 10, 2022 - 8:02 pm
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Hi! I have a rather “unique” Model 12 to my understanding and was hoping to get some help!

I have a model 12 with the serial number of 1966687. From my research, it is a standard model 12. However, it has a tiger maple Monte Carlo stock without a cheek pad.

The checkering on the stock’s grip and forearm doesn’t appear to be any of Winchester’s standard patterns either. The checkering on the stock’s grip starts from the bottom of the grip and ends in 3 V’s at the receiver. The forearm has a long, oblong checkered diamond  with rounded sides and a sharp, tapered top and bottom and there is a tight, noncheckered, squared off diamond inside it.

It is not stamped “Trap” or has the two arrows facing each other, so it didn’t leave the factory as a trap model at least. Is it possible this was in Winchester’s custom shop? 

I would include pictures but am new and not sure how to do that on this forum. Any insight/information would be greatly appreciated!! 

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August 11, 2022 - 1:02 am
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Hello Micah,

Your Model 12 was manufactured in November 1963. The odds are extremely high that the stocks are an aftermarket “upgrade”.

Bert

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August 11, 2022 - 10:27 am
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Bert H. said
Hello Micah,

Your Model 12 was manufactured in November 1963. The odds are extremely high that the stocks are an aftermarket “upgrade”.

Bert

  

Thank you! I’d love to know this gun’s story. I love the look and feel of the customization and since it’s still pre-64 and a little different, it’ll be handed down to my little boy when he turns 18.  Thanks again for the help and the quick response!! 

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