Mystery Winchester Model 12

[Dewidmt]

Can't seem to figure out what this oddity is exactly. I like shorty shotties and this was laying on the table at the local GS this weekend. It's a 1937 Winchester Model 12, 12 gauge full choke that someone has cut back to 19.5 inches, welded on a front sight and drilled for a Lyman peep in the rear. Added some inletted sling points also. It's either a dedicated slug gun from back in the day when you didn't have the choices available today, or maybe a turkey shoot gun? Runs fine with birdshot, seems to pattern a bit high (upper 50%). Haven't ran any slugs through it yet. The workmanship is crude, but serviceable. Anybody want to hazard a guess?

 

[thunderchicken]

My bet was this was someone's modifications to make it a slug gun or maybe some kind of home defense gun. That's about all I can think of for such short barrel shotguns

I can't see it being used as a turkey shoot gun as often those have a longer tightly choked barrel to get the most dense pattern possible.

 

[KellyinAvon]

That's not a Model 12 Turkey Gun. I can't believe somebody did that to a Model 12.

 

[Dewidmt]

"That's not a Model 12 Turkey Gun. I can't believe somebody did that to a Model 12."

Well, back in the day they made do if the wanted something different I guess. They had no way of knowing something so ordinary might be more valuable down the line.
Maybe in 80 years folks will be bitching because somebody stippled all the Glocks?

 

[Cameramonkey]

Maybe in 80 years folks will be bitching because somebody stippled all the Glocks?

Try again. Folks are already doing that today. LOL

 

[thunderchicken]

Well on a positive note, it looks like it was just a plain barrel field grade gun to start with. At least it didn't start out as a nicer trap gun or some other higher end grade before being modified.
You could always just source another plain barrel and put it back in service if that's what you want.

 

[Bigtanker]

I had one that had a gawd awful poly choke on it. I'm wondering if this one had one also and someone didn't like it so out came the hacksaw.

On a good note, it will(should) slamfire.

 

[Leadeye]

Nothing wrong with it, somebody modified it to shoot slugs accuratly back when you would have had a hard time finding a shotgun so equipped.

Tough to beat slugs for power inside their effective range.

 

[gregkl]

Well on a positive note, it looks like it was just a plain barrel field grade gun to start with. At least it didn't start out as a nicer trap gun or some other higher end grade before being modified.
You could always just source another plain barrel and put it back in service if that's what you want.

I would just re-barrel it, clean it up nicely and have a pretty nice old shotgun.

 

[NHT3]

Maybe in 80 years folks will be bitching because somebody stippled all the Glocks?

You sir are a true visionary

 

[gregkl]

Well, back in the day they made do if the wanted something different I guess. They had no way of knowing something so ordinary might be more valuable down the line.
Maybe in 80 years folks will be bitching because somebody stippled all the Glocks?

We have to look at how many of an item are produced to have an idea if they will become valuable in the future. There were about 2 million Model 12's produced compared to 20 million Glocks.

The chances of a Glock becoming a "collectible" firearm with a high value when kept in factory configuration is slim.

 

[Jaybird1980]

We have to look at how many of an item are produced to have an idea if they will become valuable in the future. There were about 2 million Model 12's produced compared to 20 million Glocks.

The chances of a Glock becoming a "collectible" firearm with a high value when kept in factory configuration is slim.

You shouldn't lump all Glocks in one basket when talking about value. You are correct it has to do with numbers produced. Look at what a Gen1 19 sells for or a 17L or early 24.

 

[Noble Sniper]

I bought a model 12 years ago that had barrel damage starting at 19” so it got chopped down to 18 1/4”….. so while I enjoy a stock model 12 I’m hoping whoever whacked this one in the past did so to make a functioning shotgun….

 

[KellyinAvon]

"That's not a Model 12 Turkey Gun. I can't believe somebody did that to a Model 12."

Well, back in the day they made do if the wanted something different I guess. They had no way of knowing something so ordinary might be more valuable down the line.
Maybe in 80 years folks will be bitching because somebody stippled all the Glocks?

As someone who carries a Glock, and owns two pre-64 Model 12s… let’s just say signs point to no.

 

[Mongo59]

It looks like someone's old deer buster from back in the day.

I have an Ithaca 37 Deerslayer that needs furniture I will trade for it...

 

[Mongo59]

As someone who carries a Glock, and owns two pre-64 Model 12s… let’s just say signs point to no.

I always thought better of you than a Glock carrier! Oh the things you learn on this site with time...

 

[Dewidmt]

It looks like someone's old deer buster from back in the day.

I have an Ithaca 37 Deerslayer that needs furniture I will trade for it...

Thanks anyways...she's a keeper for my cabinet of curiosities...lol

 

[Dewidmt]

I would just re-barrel it, clean it up nicely and have a pretty nice old shotgun.

I've got a nice 1954 Model 12 Riot gun (factory 20" Cylinder bore barrel) sitting next to it, so I'll be on the lookout for a few barrels.

 

[Mongo59]

Thanks anyways...she's a keeper for my cabinet of curiosities...lol

Guess I don't need to haul it to Amos' tomorrow then...

 

[bobzilla]

We have to look at how many of an item are produced to have an idea if they will become valuable in the future. There were about 2 million Model 12's produced compared to 20 million Glocks.

The chances of a Glock becoming a "collectible" firearm with a high value when kept in factory configuration is slim.

While true, there were only around 2 billion people on the planet when that model 12 was produced. those g****'s had 8 billion people to be distributed to. Just in the US the population has tripled since the M12 was made. So it's possible the g**** could become a collectors piece in 80 years if it's still together.