[TnShooter83]

My Grandfather drug this in a few weeks ago.
It was rusted, and all torn apart.
Barrel, and Action have the bomb markings, and all numbers match.
All said and done I have $37.50
Best of all the barrel has NO pitting.
Not sure how it managed to stay smooth, as the outside is "WORN"

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n65/TnShooter/Model12.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n65/TnShooter/US12Full.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n65/TnShooter/US-12.jpg

[Bartkowski]

Hell, I'll give you $50 for it.;)

[Chewie095]

Seems like a fine, fine deal to me.

[Milkmaster]

bartkowski beat me to it....I will double your money back! :) Nice old gun with stories to tell I am sure.

[gunut]

nice ww2 US marked model 12 riot gun.........even in that worn condition

[TnShooter83]

Thanks...I figured it was worth its history anyways.

[1BLINDREF]

Very cool :cool::cool:
If it could only talk

[Cougfan2]

Nice!:) Looks like an old trench gun with the ordinance stamp. You definitely got more than your money's worth. Once in a while you'll run into an old Win Mod 97 trench gun at a gun show.

[Ghost Tracker]

Please tell your Grandfather that I want a nice, old LC Smith 12 ga. double if he's out roaming around. I'm willing to go as high as $45.00 for the right one! I'll consider a Parker or Ithaca if that's all he can find!

[Jim Watson]

Doesn't the lack of a heat shield and bayonet lug make it a riot gun rather than a trench gun?

[CWL]

Sounds like you cheated your own grandpa.

[10X]

Don't you just love these type of deals?
What a bargin for a fun gun with history.

[Cougfan2]

Doesn't the lack of a heat shield and bayonet lug make it a riot gun rather than a trench gun?

I have seen trench guns with the heat shield and bayonet lug, but the ordinance stamp makes me think they may have used them both ways. :confused:

[Scoupe]

To preserve its value I would suggest not removing any more patina.

Very nice find. You owe him something nice now.

[TnShooter83]

To preserve its value I would suggest not removing any more patina.

what patina...it was covered in rust when I got it.
some how the inside barrel stayed in 100% shape.
No pitting, can't say that for the rest of it.
I had to make a carrier spring, but the rest is stock parts.

[Ghost Tracker]

Do a nice "browning" (rather than "blueing") job on it. It'll look more at home with the outside existing pits and dings. There's little to no Collector Value left anyway. Just have fun with it!

[Dave McCracken]

As said, not much collector value left. However, it looks like a fine shooter.

Exercise it regularly.....

[2RCO]

Cougfan just cuz it has ordinance stampings does not make it a trench gun. Unless it has a heat shield and bayonet attachment it's a riot gun. Riot guns are not as valuable as Trench guns typically as there were more made and used for everything from guarding airfields to ammo dumps--To even garbage in Korea.

[TnShooter83]

Never shot it, but wouldn't mind.
I have a few that are clay, and dove eaters....So maybe one day I'll try it.
Untill then, I'll shoot the others.

[zinj]

Never shot it, but wouldn't mind.
I have a few that are clay, and dove eaters....So maybe one day I'll try it.
Untill then, I'll shoot the others.

Get some buckshot and metal sillhouettes and do a bit of speed practical shooting. Even all chewed up that is still one hell of a piece of history there.

[Hoppy590]

anyone got a good cut out of some Huns? or the Kaiser!?i got a copy of this poster, possibly an original. and its always been an inspiration
if you cant read it the paper says "Huns kill women and children!"

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=63072&stc=1&d=1188361724


though being a M12 and not an 1897 it was probibly WW2 vintage

[Tom D]

WW2 Military Model 12 riot guns generally fall into the 970,xxx serial number range. The trench guns usually have higher serials.

You can also tell if it was a trench gun by whether or not the barrel has the 3 transverse grooves cut into the bottom near the muzzle to accomodate the bayonet adaptor screws.

[TnShooter83]

This one has 981,xxx for the serial number.
There is no lug on the front of the barrel.
I see no grooves....?

[Tom D]

Sounds like an original WW2 riot gun.

[stevekl]

You got an awesome shotgun for $37, and someone else got an awesome Wingmaster for $100.

Sigh. Why can't I find deals like that?

[kgriggs8@yahoo.com]

"You got an awesome shotgun for $37, and someone else got an awesome Wingmaster for $100.

Sigh. Why can't I find deals like that?"

I got a few deals like that in my day but they are really few are far between. More than the money, it is finding a great deal that is fun. I remember the few really good deals I got and that is what keeps me looking. They seem to be getting much rarer as any old gun is now looked up to what it is worth before someone sells it.

Most of the good deals require some looking and some smarts. The guy that knows what it is what and spends the time looking is going to find more deals. Also, don't be afraid of condition, I have got some great deals because of orange surface rust that is easy to clean off or a damaged stock that is easy to replace. You have to look beyond the surface and see what you can make of something.

I have got a lot of dogs as well. I have bought guns that I thought were a deal because they were cheap only to find that they were on their last legs. Parts worn out, rusted internals, you name it. It is a gamble and the odds are with the house. We only seem to remember the wins thank god. If I had a vivid memory of every bad deal, I would quit buying guns.