WIN 1200 Defender - any info ???

[taxifolia]

Found the papers - bought it new on 2/20/83 - paid $325.
It is stamped on barrel:
"Winchester Model 1200 Stainless 12 GA, 2 3/4 & 3" ", also
"Winchester Proof Stainless Steel".
It has 18" barrel, tube holds 6 rounds of 2 3/4".
Hang tag specs say "Model 1200 Stainless, Cyl. Bore", ETC..
Model # is G120321SR.
SN is L1345XXX".


Called Winchester - they do not have historical records.

I am curious:
1. What year it was made,
2. Is it the "Stainless Police" Model (vs. the "Stainless Marine" Model which may have only been the Model 1300) - Win contact thought it is probably the "Stainless Police".
3. Any ideas on value ?

The manual says "Form No. ML-1-82", the warranty card says "Form - 5yw582", and the Service Center card says "Form No. ASC 9-82".
Neat to still have all the original papers in the archives.

Given the "82s" on the paperwork, plus the "9-82" and purchase date of 2/20/83, I assume it was made between 9/82 and 2/83.
I am fighting whether to keep it (only fired about 6 rounds) -
IT IS NOT FOR SALE.

That decision might come later.

As SwissArmyDad said, "it's a very nice-looking gun" - it is beautiful, that's why I have kept it (I'm a Stainless nut), but I will be 71 next week, ..... . I think decision time is fast approaching.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

I don't have any info, just wanted to say that it's a very nice-looking gun.

Good luck with your research!

 

[Fred Fuller]

Probably wasn't made too long before you got it new. As to how much it's worth, there are usually some Marine versions for sale on GunBroker, I see three there, currently priced (bid) from $355 to $800. The one currently bid at $800 is stated to be a NIB example with a BIN price of $2500.

Is there a Winchester collector's website out there?

fwiw,

lpl

 

[taxifolia]

Lee - Thanks. I don't know of any collector sites.

I just updated my post with new info..

Curious what you found on GB. If you want, you can reply or send a PM ???

Thanks.

 

[heeler]

Strangely enough I own a 1200 Defender with serial L1295xxx and upon calling Winchester they informed me mine was built in 1978.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Just go to http://www.gunbroker.com/ and search 'winchester stainless.' There should be three hits listed under Shotguns - Pump in the results.

There's http://www.winchestercollector.org/ but I don't see the 1200 listed there on the front page. And there's http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin/show_inventory.php?catID=14&subcatID=184 that might help.

fwiw,

lpl

 

[taxifolia]

Great info Lee, particularly this one:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=247789828

About only difference is mine says "Model 1200 Stainless" on barrel. My papers say Model # is G120321SR, same as end of box in picture #16, which also says "Part No. 1200-0321". Makes me wonder if there is a typo in the description which says it is a 1300. I could understand confusion, given manual in picture #15 - looks same as mine, except it also says "... Youth Model".

 

[benzy2]

Well, I would think his would be a 1300 if the Stainless Marine (which is what his barrel is marked) only came on the 1300. His also has a different butt pad.

 

[taxifolia]

benzy - gets interesting re Model - pic 5 in this one says "Model 1300 Stainless Marine":
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=247345583

Text in this one says "1300 Stainless Marine", but can't see in pics:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=248159687

I'm thinking Marines were both 1200 (like MAYBE the one in prior link which only says "Stainless Marine") and 1300 in above link (which says "Model 1300 Stainless Marine"). Mine says "Model 1200 Stainless" and I think it is probably the Police version. What the diffs are between Police and Marine, I don't know - they look the same.

Good observation on my butt pad - it is a "Decelerator". I also have one that looks exactly like the ones in prior link (GB Item=247789828) and in above (GB Item=248159687, pic #5). I must have switched pads back in about 1986, the only time I shot mine as I recall.

It is all interesting - makes me think more of selling mine.

Thanks.

 

[dfariswheel]

As far as I know, Winchester only made a stainless Model 1200 as the 1200 Police Stainless.
It had an 18" barrel and a 7 shot magazine.

The made the 1300 stainless as the 1300 Defender Stainless Coastal Marine with a Sandstrom 9A phosphate coating added in 1989 to increase rust resistance.
In 2004 they added a Dura-Touch coating to the receiver and internal parts.
This had an 18" barrel

They made a 1300 Defender Stainless Coastal Marine NRA which had an 18" barrel which was nickel plated stainless steel with nickel plated internal parts. This was made in 2006 as a limited production gun.

Finally they offered the 1300 Defender Marine which was nickel plated with 5, 7, or 8 shot magazines.

Winchester had problems with the early 1200 and 1300 stainless guns. They found that the stainless barrel and magazine tubes unexpectedly rusted, so they started adding special coatings, then nickel plating to prevent the rust.

 

[magicpooch]

I have a winchester 1200 with a blued finish.

 

[Hunterdad]

I have a winchester 1200 with a blued finish.

Me too!