Make: Winchester

Model: Model 25

Serial Number: 75236

Year of Manufacture: 1953-54

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 ¾" Shells

Action Type: Pump Action

Barrel Length: 28"

Choke: Fixed: Improved Cylinder.

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked, “WINCHESTER / —TRADE MARK— / MADE IN U.S.A. / — MODEL 25-12 GA.-2 ¾ CHAM. / IMP. CYL.". The top of the barrel and receiver are both marked with a "WP" proof. The bottom of the receiver is marked " 75236".

Sights / Optics: There is a broken white bead at the muzzle.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The walnut stocks are two piece with a pistol grip, fluted straight comb, Winchester hard rubber buttplate, and a 14 groove pump slide. The refinished stock shows some scattered pressure dents and handling wear — mostly on the buttstock. The initials, "FJ" seem to have been scrawled into the left wrist. 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 buttplate. The stock rates a Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued.

Finish Originality: Refinished.

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 90% of its metal refinish. A little of the underside of the barrel has gone to patina. There is blueing loss on the leading edges and underside of the receiver and at the muzzle. There is operational wear in the form of draglines and loss on the mag tube. There is just a bit of corrosion pitting on the action bar. There are light scratches on the rear on the mag tube and a few scattered elsewhere. The markings remain clear. Overall, this shotgun rates a Very Good 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 25 was a budget-minded version of the iconic Model 12. It was introduced in 1949 with limited options available and with no takedown feature in an effort to compete on cost. Though priced well below the full cost of a Model 12, it was not very successful and was withdrawn in 1955. Only about 88,000 were produced, making it not easily found today and sometimes overlooked by collectors.

This particular Model 25 has been tastefully refinished. The action seems tight and there is no corrosion in evidence. It should be of interest to a Winchester collector or a traditionalist upland hunter.