Make:  Winchester

Model:  Model 12 

Serial Number:  1595099

Year of Manufacture:  1956 / C&R

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4 Shells

Action Type:  Pump Action

Barrel Length:  26" solid factory rib

Choke:  Fixed skeet.

Sights / Optics:  There is an orange bead at the muzzle. 

Stock Configuration & Condition:  The high grade walnut stocks are two piece wood with a capped pistol grip, fluted straight comb, Kick-Eez soft rubber buttpad, and a longer, checkered pump slide normally associated with Trap Grade guns.  The buttstock appears to be a replacement, the forend appears to be refinished. The stock shows a few scattered scratches, pressure dents, and handling wear — mostly on the forend.  There are no chips, cracks or areas of finish loss.  The LOP measures 14" from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttpad.  The stock rates a Fine condition.  

Type of Finish:  Blued

Finish Originality:  Original

Bore Condition:  The bore is mirror-bright. There is no erosion, and just a little lead fouling in the choke area.  In this writer's opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.  

Overall Condition:  This shotgun retains about 85% of its metal finish.  There is minimal handling wear.  There is fading on both receiver and barrel, finish loss on the leading edges and underside of the receiver and operational wear in the form of draglines on the barrel and loss on the mag tube.  The markings remain clear.   Overall, this shotgun rates a Fine condition.

Mechanics:  The action functions correctly.  We have not fired this shotgun.  As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories:  None. 

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 12 shotgun is an icon (some might say the icon) in the Winchester line.  You know a gun was designed and built right when over two million copies were produced over a 60-plus year span.  It is a highly regarded pump-action firearm celebrated for its ruggedness, adaptability, and reliability. This writer remembers one afield in the hands of his own grandfather with great nostalgia.

This gun has been very well taken care of.  It has no corrosion in evidence.  It is an uncommon special order, as exhibited by the skeet choke, high grade walnut, and solid rib.  Its longer forend would be typical of a  Pigeon Grade or Trap Grade Model Twelve, but the barrel is 26 inches.  It must have been among the last of the solid ribs, as Winchester ceased making them in 1955.  This unusual collection of attributes would make it an aesthetic addition to a Winchester collection or a very stylish and venerable participant on the skeet range.  Please see our photos and take special note of the nice walnut from which the stock is made.