Make: Winchester

Model: 12

Serial Number: 988894

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1944, 42 barrel date.

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4" Shells

Action Type: Pump / Slide Action, Tube Magazine Fed Takedown Shotgun

Barrel Length: 20" Nominal, 20 3/4" Measured

Choke: Fixed Cylinder Bore

Sights / Optics: There is a brass bead at the muzzle. The top of the receiver has a sighting plane, serrated for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece walnut with a grooved slide handle, pistol grip, straight comb and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The left of the buttstock has a "G.H.D." in box cartouche over an Ordnance wheel, these markings are double-struck. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is wear along the right of the slide handle with a patch of more notable marring on the left toward the rear. The LOP measures 14" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear with generally well defined checkering and lettering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8 or 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. There are some scattered minor marks, light operational wear and infrequent minor oxidation. There are scattered nicks and minor erosion under the finish. Also under the finish is wear on the left-front edge of the receiver from reassembly. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are still clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished.

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 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. The Model 12 was designed by Winchester engineer T.C. Johnson, and was based in part on the M1893/97 design by John M. Browning, in that it used a sliding forearm or “pump action” to cycle the mechanism. Along with the 1897, the Model 12 was used in both World Wars by U.S. Armed Forces in both Trench and Riot configurations. This is a WWII vintage Riot gun which was made around 1944. While refinished, the markings are quite well preserved from the Winchester proofs to the stock cartouches. This is a great old Winchester that went from service in World War II to the American private collectors. It will make a great addition to any military or Winchester shotgun collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!