Make: Winchester

Model: 12

Serial Number: 1075297

Year of Manufacture: 1947

Caliber: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4” & 3" Shells

Action Type: Pump Action Shotgun Fed By Internal Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 32”, after-market Poly-Choke Vent-Rib

Choke: Full, Fixed

Sights / Optics: There is a white bead in a base at the front of the rib and a silver-colored mid-bead fixed to the rib. The top of the rib and the receiver are serrated for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth deluxe walnut with an extended slide-handle, wood-capped pistol grip, monte carlo comb and ventilated black rubber Pachmayr recoil pad. The stocks have some light nicks and scratches. There is a crack in the bottom of the wrist at the rear of the trigger guard. The LOP measures 14 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad, 13 1/2" to the back of the wood. The pad has light wear and has hardened slightly with age. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Likely refinished at the time of engraving. The rib was installed after engraving. The over-size safety button is after-market.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 65% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is wear in the engraved areas. The action shows operational wear. There is some other scattered light wear. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The left-front of the receiver has wear from the action bar during reassembly. There is infrequent minor oxidation. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Very Good condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. This shotgun will slam-fire as designed. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1912 was an improved version of John Moses Browning’s groundbreaking design, the Model 1897 pump action shotgun. While similar in most aspects to Browning’s design, several improvements were made by Winchester engineer Thomas Crossley Johnson. Johnson’s most notable improvement was to alter the action. While Browning had designed his m/1897 with an external hammer, Jonson modified the design with an internal hammer. The Model 1912 retained the distinct slam-fire action used on Browning’s original design.

This example is a 1947 vintage Model 12 Magnum with a 32" barrel. It has been customized with an attractive set of deluxe walnut stocks, a Poly-Choke ventilated rib, and custom engraving that was obviously inspired by factory engraving patterns, featuring a pheasant and hunting dog scene on the left and a waterfowl scene on the right. The left-front of the receiver appears to be signed with Japanese characters and it would not have been uncommon in 1947 for a gun like this to be custom engraved for an American serviceman stationed in Japan. This should still make for a beautiful trap gun for the lucky winner, but would also be a neat research project for a collector of engraved firearms. Please see our photos, good luck and happy bidding!