[bud_of_yours]

I've got a pretty old Model 12 but, I don't know how old and what to do with it. The serial number is 530XXX. It hardy has any blueing left and it needs some work to keep it from occasionally blowing open... Is it worth having fixed/restored? It has alot of sentimental value (It was given to me by my grandpa before he died in 1970...

[Dave McCracken]

Welcome aboard, Bud.

Yes, it's worth fixing. Not only because it was your Grandad's, but because Model 12s were some of the best shotguns ever made.

Get it fixed, take it out and shoot it. Your Grandad would like that....

[kudu]

Welcome bud_of_yours,

According to the Blue Book it was a 1928 vintage. By all means get it fixed and working again. Like Dave says it is a classic and deserves to be out making more memories, you should be able to hand it down to your grandkids.

[bud_of_yours]

O.K., I'm gonna get it fixed... How do I go about finding a good gunsmith? I've heard that you can send a gun back to Winchester and have them "restore" it... Is that possible? How much money should I reasonably expect to spend? And finally, how much would a "restored" 1928 Winchester Model 12, 12 gauge full choke be worth? I'm not selling, just need to know for bragging reasons... *smile* :rolleyes:

[gunut]

Bud;
First give the gun a strip down cleaning...sometimes crud can get into places preventing a solid lock up...pay close attention to the recess cut towards the rear top of the receiver...this is where the rear of the bolt locks when in battery... if this area gets worn you can have lockup problems but you can have the same type of problems if this recess or rear/or top of the bolt gets gunked up. preventing its free travel....also check the machined catch on the end of the slide rod for exsessive wear..................If the recess is worn preventing a good lockup it can be repaired by tig welding and recutting the recess but this can get pretty expensive[I would do this repair if its the only way to repair a family heirloom gun]......complete restoration of the gun [replacing parts and wood/metal refinish] can get very expensive; probably much more than the gun is worth...reblue only can be relatively inexpensive but this is not restoring the gun....If the gun were mine I would first give it a good cleaning to see if that makes the gun shootable...If that solved the lockup problem...Id probably use it as is or re-rust blue the barrel myself, and clean up the original wood if possible or find better condition original winchester wood for that vintage gun.....nothing wrong with hunting with a gun that shows some of its age as long as it functions properly....

BTW There is a place called Winchester Restorations that can completly restore you model 12 but I dont have their web address handy....

wait a minute.... www.winrest.com

[bud_of_yours]

I live in Stuttgart, Arkansas... Surely, there is a gunsmith in this area who can work on an old shotgun.

[Dave McCracken]

There are regional differences,bud, but around these parts ANY working Model 12 starts off at $300.

Top condition 12s with specialty features like straight grip,AAA wood, Black Diamonds, Trap or Skeet grades go way up. If there's engraving maybe not so much. Most was done by the factory and not top quality.

For insurance purposes, try $500 for a field model.

As with all old shotguns, a good smith should go over it before ANY shots are fired through it.

Chances are the 12 will be OK to shoot, but you NEED to KNOW.....

[1911 guy]

The old model 12's (excellent guns) have a trigger that made them a prize to both LE and bird hunters. On your first shot (at a riot or covey of quail) hold down the trigger and keep pumping. The trigger will reset and then trip when the bolt goes into battery. The Ithaca model 37's were the same way. I say all this to tell you that you may lose the original trigger group if it's factory serviced. There was some stink over not needing to manually release the trigger. My uncle lost his model 37 original trigger that way. Find a local, honest 'smith to work on it.

[TrapperReady]

Simmons Guns (www.simmonsguns.com) has probably done more work on Model 12s than any other. Their work is top notch... albeit at a price.

As far as I'm concerned, there is no better hunting gun than the Model 12.

[johnmcl]

Hi guys,

I'm reading this thread with great interest as I've just inherited my dad's and grand dad's collection. In that mix is a pair of Model 12s. The first is a 12 ga with SN 1525683, the second is a 20 ga with SN 1515585. I have no clue on manufacturing dates.

These both belonged to my dad and I have the fondest memories hunting doves with him through out the South....

There are questions upcoming in this category on other shotties I in the mix.

Thanks,

John

[gunut]

Dave Riffles book says 1953 for both of your model 12s...Blue Book of gun values says 1955...The George Madis book also has it at 55...Most folks go with the Riffle numbers....Most of the factory production records at Winchester were lost in a fire so researchers put together bits and pieces of existing information to come up with there best guess ;) .....Your father was on the right track when he bought them.....

[armedandsafe]

I have lusted for a Model 12 in 16Ga since I was 15 years old. I finally found one on a day when I could pay for it. SN 448xx. The shop owner's book listed it as 1926. I paid $325 out the door last winter. I love it.

Fix that puppy up and enjoy it.

Pops

[roo_ster]

IMO, fix what needs fixing, clean it up, and use it. I would not re-blue or re-finish. Not only does it reduce the value of the shotgun, but your granddad put that wear on the shotgun! It came by it honestly.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

[Col Kurtz]

Of all the guns I own my favorite field gun is a 20ga Model 12 circa 1941

[arnoldk]

While it may be a few years tooo late, I'll bet his problem lies in the ammo. Old M 12's sometimes were cut for 2 9/16" and not 2 3/4".

[mnrivrat]

arnoldk - I believe your thinking of the 16ga. and not the 12ga. At any rate by 1928 the 16ga should have been the 2&3/4" version anyway.

I'm in the same frame of mind as jfruser in regards to fixing the mechanical and leaving the old finish or whats left of it as is. The cost to re-blue runs around $200 in these parts, and realy doesn't ad value to the gun.

I am also thinking a good cleaning could make a difference and should be the first thing done before evaluating wether it needs to be repaired.

[MoxleyK98]

Hi all,

So to barge in, but the discussion is just so interesting. I own a 1928 Winchester Model 12, 12 gauge. Im not sure what it shoots whether it is 2 3/4 or not. I want to be sure, so I dont mess up anything good.

Also, how much would a 1928 Model 12 go for these days?

Thanks!

[gunut]

ALL 12ga model 12s are chambered 2 3/4in...accept for the Heavy Duck guns that are 3in....hard to fix a price on it ...without seeing it or at least knowing ALL the particulars...original condition, choke, rib?, ect,ect...

[Jim_100]

I suggest not refinishing metal or wood. I would fix whatever to make it work. I would love to have a gun that was given wear by the hands of my grandpa.

[mothernatureson]

Hi, Have been reading with interest about the Model 12. I have my grandfathers model 12, he traded a ton of hay for it many years ago. The serial # is 631xxx which my Madis book puts at 1931. My dad did not agree with the year of manufacture. I see a reference to Dave Riffle on these pages. Can anyone quote another date of manufacture from his records? Thanks,

mothernatureson

[ArmedBear]

Yeah, I'd do the minimum required to make it a functional shotgun, and use it as the classic it is.

Refinishing/restoration is for guns that are hopeless without it, IMHO, or for newer guns that have no sentimental value but have rust damage, a trashed stock, etc.

That goes double if you know and care about the person who put the "honest wear" on the gun to begin with.

I regularly hunt and train dogs with a 1926-vintage side by side, with stock repairs I had to do, but not restored. Works fine that way.:)

[MMCSRET]

A load of hay!!!!!! I have my fathers M12 he received for delivering a load of straw in the winter of 1934. Gun dates to 1915, nickel steel and no blue cause nickel steel of the period didn't hold blue well. MMMMMM good gun!!!!!

[gunut]

631XXX...1931 in Riffles book too.......

[bmuscat]

is there a way to tell if it is a "heavy duck" 3" gun or a regular ?? model 12 -12 gauge circa 1931

[birdshot8's]

Bud, i am not sure what you mean when you say, "blow open", but a good model 12 practically shucks itself when fired.

[Rock_Steady]

Wow....now this is a zombie thread.

[ATAShooter]

The Model 12 Guru.... Stu Wright

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/ATAShooter/scan0006.jpg

[Da Mule Driver]

I have a model 12 featherweight pump 12 gauge Ser.184xxxxF I have only found one otherone like it but not as unused as the one I have . I found a lady who's husband bought it years ago fired it twice and cut 3 inches off the barrel and put it into a soft case and locked it in a closet ever since I got it for a song as he passed away ten years ago and she didnt even know it was there until she started to clean out his closet for more space . The blueing on the shotgun dosent show any wear and I know she never used it as she dosent like the noise they make .I am looking for another barrel to replace the one cut down and yes it still works just fine. I do not know how old it is or wear to locate a new barrel to bring it back to its origanel condition .. any ideas would be of great help....

[chas08]

I am looking for another barrel to replace the one cut down and yes it still works just fine. Have it threaded for choke tubes since it has already been altered. At least the barrel and action will still have the same serial number.