Make: Winchester

Model: 12 Skeet

Serial Number: 888020

Year of Manufacture: 1951 / C&R

Caliber: 20 Gauge, 2 3/4” Chamber

Action Type: Pump Action Takedown Shotgun fed by Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 26”, Solid Rib & Aftermarket Ported

Choke: Winchester Skeet 1 (WS-1), Fixed

Sights / Optics: The front sight is an empty mount fixed to the rib above the muzzle. There is a smaller metallic mid-bead on the rib as well. The tops of the rib and receiver are both serrated to help reduce glare.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut featuring a longer forend, a pistol grip with grip cap, a straight comb and a Winchester black hard rubber buttplate. The wood shows light nicks, scratches, compressions and a few minor handling and storage marks. The checkering is sharp with minor peak wear. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stocks are in Fine Plus overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 10/10. The bore has been ported.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows some light operational wear and scattered nicks, scratches and contact wear primarily at some leading edges. There is thinning on the leading edges and muzzle. There is some takedown and operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition.

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

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Model 1912 (shortened to Model 12 in 1919) was the next step from the Winchester Model 1897 hammer-fired shotgun, which in turn had evolved from the earlier Winchester Model 1893 shotgun. With forged and machined steel parts, the ultimate reason for the discontinuation of the Model 12 in 1964 was that it was simply too expensive to produce at a competitive price. When the money talks, the people listen. The primary competition at this time came from the much less expensive Remington Model 870, which had been introduced in 1950.

This example is a 20 gauge made in 1951 in a desirable configuration. It has a 26″ barrel choked Skeet, having checkered stocks with an extended slide handle and capped pistol grip. The barrel has a solid rib, and 1951 is somewhat late for solid ribs which were fully supplanted by ventilated ribs in 1955. The gun is in great shape, especially for being over 70 years old, retaining a great bore and strong mechanics. While the Winchester collectors are definitely going to take an interest, it would also be a neat gun to get back out on the Skeet fields or even take out in the field and drop some birds.