Need help with aging a winchester model 12.

[screamin eagle]

Today while i was visiting my local pawn shop i found a winchester model 12 12ga pump shotgun setting on the rack. So when i picked it up and looked at the price tag it said $389.99. I looked it over and decided what the heck another shotgun wouldn't hurt(this makes #5 ). So up to the counter i go with the gun. When i went to check out the guy behind the counter tells the clerk to let me have it for $325 but when i went to pay all i had was a $100 bill so i put it in layaway. Now my question is how old is the gun? The ser# is 1170***. Is that a good price and can anyone help me with the age?


Thanks in advance

melvin

 

[hoghunting]

It looks like 1949.

 

[screamin eagle]

Sweet thanks. I also have another question can i shoot steel shot thru it or not. Somebody had a poly-choke put on at sometime if that makes a diffrence.



melvin

 

[Red Label]

I'd say you did alright. Polychokes usually bring the value of a M12 down. If the gun is in good condition it may have brought closer to $500 without it. I also assume it is a 12ga. Other guages also bring more. I have seen nice 20s around here bringing closer to $800 now. Steel? Not sure. I've got a friend that shoots a lot of steel through his but I won't mine. I've got a lot of other guns that I can use for steel.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Ya did good, though you're not out of the woods.

Polychokes were installed by highly professional smiths and by ten thumbed dunces. If it's on straight, you're OK. If not, it could shoot a couple feet off. Do pattern immediately to establish POI.

Polys tend to lower impact, so be aware of this right off.

Polychoke Corp says that their chokes will work with steel if not screwed down tightly. I'd amend that and say no more than 3 clicks down from Cylinder.

The Polychoke almost guarantees this one was a hunter's tool rather than a trap gun, so wear is probably light.

Enjoy and HTH....j