Winchester Model 12 1912 16 GA Three Barrel Set Pump Shotgun, MFD 1952 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,376
WOA#: WY240229MD003
Make: Winchester
Model: 12
Serial Number: 1305760
Year of Manufacture: 1952
Gauge: 16 Gauge
Action Type: Pump Action Takedown With Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S. OF AMERICA / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-“, “-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK-“, “MODEL 12-16 GA.-2 3/4 CHAM. / FULL”. There are Winchester proofs on the top-rear of the barrel to the left of the solid rib and top-front of the receiver. The serial number is marked on the bottom of the receiver and the barrel extension.
Additional Barrel Assembly 1: The left of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL”, “MADE IN U.S.A. / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”, “MODEL 12 – 16 GA. / 2 3/4 MOD.” with a Winchester proof to the left of its solid rib. The right of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN.” with patent dates. The barrel extension is marked “643657”.
Additional Barrel Assembly 2: The left of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S. OF AMERICA / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-“, “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“, “2 3/4 CHAM. / MODEL 12 – 16 GA. / FULL” with two Winchester proofs and an oval “P” to the left of the solid rib (indicates replacement outside the factory. The barrel extension is marked “690076”.
Barrel Length: 25″
Additional Barrel Assembly 1: 28″
Additional Barrel Assembly 2: 28″
Choke: The barrel is marked “FULL”, but our gauge reads Cylinder Bore, Fixed.
Additional Barrel Assembly 1: The barrel is marked “MOD”, but our gauge reads Cylinder Bore, Fixed.
Additional Barrel Assembly 2: The barrel is marked “FULL”, but our gauge reads Modified, Fixed.
Sights / Optics: There is a metal bead mounted to the front of the rib. The top of the rib and receiver are serrated for glare reduction.
Additional Barrel Assembly 1: There is a metal bead mounted to the front of the rib. The top of the rib is serrated for glare reduction.
Additional Barrel Assembly 2: There is a metal bead mounted to the front of the rib. The top of the rib is serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered deluxe walnut with extended slide handle, capped pistol grip, straight comb, and orange rubber Pachmayr Old English buttpad. The stocks have a few scattered minor marks. The slide handle has an odd void in the finish at the rear of the checkering on the left. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/4” from the trigger to the back of the buttpad, 13 1/4″ to the back of the wood. The pad has minor wear and has hardened slightly with age. Overall, the stocks rate in Fine-plus condition as not original to the gun.
Additional Barrel Assembly 1: The slide handle is extended checkered deluxe walnut. There is a filled grain-line crack at the bottom-front. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. Overall, the slide handle is in Very Good-Fine condition.
Additional Barrel Assembly 2: The slide handle is extended checkered deluxe walnut. There are only a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the slide handle is in Fine-Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: The shotgun’s finish is Original. Both of the additional barrel assemblies have been refinished and are not original to the gun.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 10 out of 10.
Additional Barrel Assembly 1: The bore is mostly bright. There is no erosion, but there is a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Additional Barrel Assembly 2: The bore is mostly bright. There is no erosion, but there is a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in light operational wear. There are a few scattered small marks and some minor edge-thinning. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine condition.
Additional Barrel Assembly 1: This barrel assembly retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The magazine tube and action bar show operational wear. There are tool marks around the magazine bracket screws. There is infrequent minor erosion under the finish. There are a few other minor marks. The barrel’s finish has a plum hue. The markings range from clear to shallow and incomplete. Overall, this barrel assembly is in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished.
Additional Barrel Assembly 2: This barrel assembly retains about 94% of its current metal finish. The magazine tube and action bar show operational wear. There are some scattered small marks. There are scattered spots of erosion under the finish. The markings range from clear to shallow, but legible. Overall, this barrel assembly is in Very Good-plus condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This shotgun will slam-fire as designed. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes with the additional barrel assemblies as described.
Our Assessment: The Model 1912 (shortened to Model 12 in 1919) was the next step from the Winchester Model 1897 hammer-fired shotgun, which in turn had evolved from the earlier Winchester Model 1893 shotgun. With forged and machined steel parts, the ultimate reason for discontinuation of the Model 12 in 1964 was that it was too expensive to produce at a competitive price. The primary competition at this time came from the much less expensive Remington Model 870, which had been introduced in 1950.
This example is a 16 gauge made in 1952. The gun retains the great majority of its original metal finish with strong mechanics. The 25″ solid rib barrel is marked “FULL”, but our gauge reads Modified, so it may have been opened up a little bit, which is a little more suitable for its length, in this writer’s opinion. The bore is bright and the mechanics are strong. The gun has also been equipped with a nice set of after-market deluxe walnut stocks. In addition, the gun comes with two more 28″ solid rib barrel assemblies that have matching slide handles. This would make a neat addition to a Winchester collection, but it should also still prove to be versatile set for clays or hunting. Please see our pictures and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
