Is this genuine Military or not?

[bushmaster1313]

Does the Forum think this is or is not a genuine Military item?

Not my auction and I am not bidding.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=166985315

 

[MisterHappy]

IIRC, there was an article recently in the Rifleman on Military shotguns.

Part of the article said that this was a collectible subject to faking.

If it's real, it seems nice....almost too nice....

According to fjestad's Blue Book, it's the right serial number for a "commercial blued" finish. Sounds like it's Parkerized, and therefore incorrect.

It should also have "US" on the right of the reciever.

And....it seems odd that there should still be cosmoline in the mag if it's really WWII vintage....

Just my .02

 

[Fred Fuller]

Interesting.

The U. S. and ordnance bomb should be there on the side of the receiver.

If it was an all original factory produced GI gun, the stock should be marked with crossed cannons and either WB (COL Waldemar Broberg) or GHD (COL Guy H, Drewry), who were Winchester's Ordnance District inspectors during the war.

The RIA (Rock Island Arsenal) stamp in the stock could indicate an overhaul, as could the parked finish (serial number seems low for a factory parked Model 12, and it is unlikely any factory parkerized Model 12 riot guns were ever produced). A certain number of government marked training guns (sporting configuration) were converted to riot configuration, some post WW2. If this is the case the barrel should have a factory choke marking restamped CYL. This one seems to have a factory CYL barrel though. The Model 12 was a standardized shotgun post WW2 and saw a good deal of use.

An odd duck at best, but $500 for a minty Model 12 Riot is a fair price AFAIK no matter what its provenance...

See http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=166060391 for comparison.

lpl

 

[rondog]

I wouldn't buy anything based on crappy photos like those.