1914 Winchester Model 12

[MQ]

Hi, I'm new to your site and I am looking for info about my Winchester Model 12, 12-gauge. The serial number dates it to 1914, and it was my great-grandfather's. It's in good condition considering its age, with a little rust. I even have a great old sepia photo of my great grandpa and great uncle holding this gun and another, with a pile of dead foxes at their feet!

Does anyone know anything interesting about this shotgun? Also wondering if anyone has a clue as to its value...

Thanks!

 

[Dave McCracken]

The model 12 is one of the classics, and well regarded in these parts.

Beater 12s start around $400 here. Those is great condition with factory ribs, pretty wood etc, go for much more.

However, this is part of your family history. Do not sell off your birthright, please.

Take it out and shoot it once in a while for your ancestors..

 

[MQ]

Thanks for the info. I'm actually trying to get an idea for insurance purposes. Couldn't sell it!

We took it out once and let a friend shoot it. Still works, but has a weird 'double firing' issue. I'm not too knowledgeable about guns, so not sure what's going on there...

 

[cdrt]

The Model 12 has a weird trigger/sear arrangement....the end of the trigger is the sear, rather than a separate trigger and sear like the Rem 870. Not sure what you mean by "double firing", but if the sear end of the trigger is worn, the only way to fix it is to replace the trigger. The part should be available through Numrich (www.gunpartscorp.com).
I had to replace the trigger on my Model 12. Trigger pull had gone really light due to wear. The new trigger got it back up to around 4 pounds, which is more than safe.
If you have it replaced, but sure the gunsmith knows how to work on Model 12s. If he does it wrong, your safety won't work.

 

[BigG]

I think you have to remember to take your finger off the trigger when you pump it or the next round will go off. I know the Model 97 does that, too.

 

[MQ]

I think what happened is that the second shell was fired without having to pump, which was a bit odd. Either way, I should probably have someone look at it before we take it out again.

 

[cdrt]

I think what happened is that the second shell was fired without having to pump, which was a bit odd

Okay, now I'm confused. If the second shell fired without being pumped, it just blew up in the magazine tube.

If it fired, as it was being pumped into the chamber, there's a problem with the trigger group.

I know of one instance where a Model 12 hang-fired. The trigger was pulled, nothing happened and then it went off a few seconds later. Winchester replaced the entire trigger housing group on that particular gun because they couldn't get it to do it again. This was back in the 1950's on my Dad's Model 12.

Can't wait to hear exactly what's going on with this particular Model 12.

 

[gunut]

BTW...if your 12 gauge model 12 really dates to 1914 it was made the first year that the model 12 was cataloged in 12ga.....serial numbers for 1914 [32419 - 79765]....enjoy it

 

[1911user]

My fathers' model 12 dated back to 1916. It is a plain "heavy duck" model as best I could determine (30" full choke, 5+1 (maybe 6+1) capacity). Talk about a well-used shotgun.... It was bought used for my father (in the late 1930's) by his father. It has taught my brothers and myself (along with a few grandkids) what a pump shotgun was capable of. My father passed away several years ago and a brother has it now. He's been looking to restore it and was particularly interested in new walnut furniture for some reason. I have the old 22 rifle (pre-WW2) that I used often as a kid. A 22 rifle and shotgun were all my father thought was needed as a farmer. You can imagine how boring that concept was for a kid.

My best memory of that old shotgun was sneaking up on a pond full of ducks one winter day and firing off the entire mag (no plug) without hitting one of them. Hopefully, the statute of limitations is up on that particular incident.... (no ducks were physically harmed, I'm not quite sure how they escaped though)

 

[krimmie]

My best memory of that old shotgun was sneaking up on a pond full of ducks one winter day and firing off the entire mag (no plug) without hitting one of them. Hopefully, the statute of limitations is up on that particular incident.... (no ducks were physically harmed, I'm not quite sure how they escaped though)

Yeah, but you sure scared the hell out of them!