winchester model 1912 12 ga shotgun

[realmswalker]

Hello everyone,

I have a chance to buy a model 1912 winchester shotgun 12ga. The gun is in very good condition as you can tell by the pictures. I took the gun apart and gave it a pretty good cleaning with permission from the owner. All the parts are in very good condition and there is no rust and the gun works fine. The action is smooth and the fit of the barrel to receiver is very tight.

I did a little research on this gun and everyone says it's one of the best pump guns made. I believe it is the standard model. I believe this gun was made before 1918 as in 1919 they stopped stamping it model 1912, and just stamped it model 12. Correct me if I am wrong on this.

The serial number is 166xxx, which is believe is pretty low and the numbers on the barrel and receiver match. My question is what should I expect to pay for this gun? Is this gun a collectors piece? Also add any info you can think of that I should know about the gun.

Thank you for any and all input.

P.S This gun is a PAIN to take apart.

 

[realmswalker]

More pics

 

[bill larry]

IMO, the Winchester Model 12 is THE pump shotty. I have four of them, a 12, 16 and 20, plus a trench gun from WWII.

The guns are somewhat collectable, riot and trench models more so. The one you have pictured looks very nice, but online its very difficult to give a price estimation. I'd say between 400-700, probably closer to the lower end of that. This seems to be what I've seen them going for lately.

For giggles, if you go and shoot it, load up a full magazine and hold the trigger down and just slam fire it by pumping it. You'll be astonished how fast you can empty the gun...I love the fact that there's no disconnect!

 

[Hoppy590]

if you have the money. ANY m12 is worth the price. my lord. any time theres a 870 vs 500 post. or an 870s are the best. you will know that the m12 is the king of the shotgun world

 

[Dave McCracken]

Great shotgun. Hereabouts an early field grade is a steal under $400 and a ripoff over $600.

A rib on the barrel, pad, pretty wood, etc, add more, sometimes much more.

One of the best shotguns ever made. A pain to take apart, which is one reason why the 870 drove it off the market. The other reason being the 870 is much cheaper to make.

HTH....

 

[realmswalker]

Thanks for your responses, the gentlemen has decied to let it go at 300$. I am the new proud owner of apparently the best pump shotty ever.

 

[10X]

Around here $350-$400 for one as pictured is a going price. You did very well.

A model 12 was and is the arguably the best shotgun ever made.

Enjoy!

 

[Tom Held]

More than just a good deal

You stole this gun. Solid rib, modified barrel. I know guys who would give you a $1,000 for right now. Solid rib model 12s are scare, particularly with modified choke. This will be a claybird murdering gun on a trap range.

Tom

 

[Jim K]

Model 12 166xxx was made in 1918. Looks pretty good for ninety years old.

I agree with Tom Held; $300 is a steal.

Jim

 

[parolebear]

Model 12

I agree that you got a steal. I just bought a 20 ga., it did not look that good for 350 and thought I did well. I now have a 12 and 20 need more. This one is also a 1912 marked, my 12 was made in 1939. It was the first sporting firearm my uncle saw after WWII, he pd. 65.00 for it, box of shells and a case. Then rode the bus home with it under his arm.

 

[gunut]

1912

Nice looking Solid rib model 1912...I have two of them one 30in full and one 30in mod.....the only problem I see is it looks like the stock has been shortened and had some oil finish rubbed into it....good full lengh butt stocks of the appropiate era can be found for around $75 in 60-70% original condition.....you just have to look around for them..'onlywinchesters' on the shotguns site most likely has one he would be willing to sell....The real early 1912s had no alignment arrows and no sighting groove cut in the top of the receiver..just matting on the receiver top...I see yours has the longer forarm [introduced in 1917]...the first 12ga guns had a shorter forarm[1914-1916].....if you look closely you will also notice that the forend release and the safety have very fine checkering and that the take down pin has a flat spring instesd of the round wire spring used in newer 12s....enjoy it...

 

[full metal]

WINCHESTER 1912

I just put one on layaway at the pawnshop i got mine for $135 with taxes. now it has 1912 stamped on it,some one cut the barrel down to 18 1/4 inches the stock is complet the rifle is a kindagrey parkerise finish.does anybody make a pistolgrip for it or does the model 1200 fit it?.if it brings the value up on it i might order the 20 inch riotbarrel it comes parkerise for $199 at numrich gun parts,kinda expensive.

 

[axeman_g]

I am sorry, but I THNK you overpaid for it. I will give you the $$ you paid for it so you dont feel bad. Just box it up and send it to me





You did very good and I could not be more jealous.

 

[Fred Fuller]

That's a great price on a genuine classic American shotgun. I have to take issue with the 'best pumpgun ever made' allegation, however 8^).

lpl/nc (Great, but not greatest)

 

[full metal]

winchester model 1912

YEA!! i just picked up my winchester 1912 from the pawn shop today, i just could not wait.$135 out the door.it was made in 1921 i looked it up on ARMSCOLLECTORS.COM you just put in you'r serial number and the date of manufacture pops up right away.so i guess the model 1912 was still called the model 1912 in 1921.i'm so happy.

 

[Dave McCracken]

$135? Oi vay.....

You just got the deal of several lifetimes.....