WinchesterOwners.com

Hello Everyone:

New member: Jon from Wisconsin

I have a model 12 that appears to be a trap version but clearly is not stamped with "trap" . Serial numbers date it to 1962 if online ID number references are correct.

See photos: Has monte carlo stock and matching beautiful forearm.

I'm not interested in value as it is what it is and I'm not selling it so the monetary end is of little interest.
What I am interested in is what input some of you with experience may have to share, please. I've read about Model 12's that were converted to trap guns etc. , and wonder if that's the case here.

Info I can share:

1. The raised rib has NO stamping on it whatsoever. No ID, No numbers, no nothing. It has two beads. Center and Muzzle. Both are white in color.

2. Serial # is 1946XXX. Numbers on barrel and receiver match.

3. Between the serial number and forearm there are no stampings other than an arrow pointing toward the forearm wood. No other ID such as "trap" or "pigeon" is there.

4. Full choke

This Model 12 works wonderfully well. I am the third owner. Second owner (in his 80's) told me he purchased it from a sports store in Hales Corners, Wisconsin (near Milwaukee) and it had been the owners personal shotgun.

Is there anyone in the group that might help me understand the changes or lack of them? I love the gun and it points and shoots wonderfully well.

Thanks in advance for any input. I'm only into shooting sports the last couple of years and therefore have little to no experience. I will say that this gun can master a trap range and makes me look better than I actually am!!

My apologies...............tried to upload photos. System says something about too many photos added and I can't see them or manage to resolve the issue.

Best,
Jon

Jon...

One photo at a time...resolution 600x400 will work best.

SHOOTER13 wrote:Jon...

One photo at a time...resolution 600x400 will work best.

Thanks! I'll try that.

Tried to upload a single photo and smaller than 600X400. System put up a message saying "Sorry, board attachment quota has been reached."

No big thing. I'm sure the other model 12 enthusiasts know what these shotguns look like.

Jon, I received the same message last time I made an upload attempt.

Jon B. wrote:Hello Everyone:

New member: Jon from Wisconsin

I have a model 12 that appears to be a trap version but clearly is not stamped with "trap" . Serial numbers date it to 1962 if online ID number references are correct.

See photos: Has monte carlo stock and matching beautiful forearm.

I'm not interested in value as it is what it is and I'm not selling it so the monetary end is of little interest.
What I am interested in is what input some of you with experience may have to share, please. I've read about Model 12's that were converted to trap guns etc. , and wonder if that's the case here.

Info I can share:

1. The raised rib has NO stamping on it whatsoever. No ID, No numbers, no nothing. It has two beads. Center and Muzzle. Both are white in color.

2. Serial # is 1946XXX. Numbers on barrel and receiver match.

3. Between the serial number and forearm there are no stampings other than an arrow pointing toward the forearm wood. No other ID such as "trap" or "pigeon" is there.

4. Full choke

This Model 12 works wonderfully well. I am the third owner. Second owner (in his 80's) told me he purchased it from a sports store in Hales Corners, Wisconsin (near Milwaukee) and it had been the owners personal shotgun.

Is there anyone in the group that might help me understand the changes or lack of them? I love the gun and it points and shoots wonderfully well.

Thanks in advance for any input. I'm only into shooting sports the last couple of years and therefore have little to no experience. I will say that this gun can master a trap range and makes me look better than I actually am!!

My apologies...............tried to upload photos. System says something about too many photos added and I can't see them or manage to resolve the issue.

Best,
Jon

Do you still own the shotgun? I just recently bought a model 12, everything you wrote is exactly like mine.

Do you still own the shotgun? I just recently bought a model 12, everything you wrote is exactly like mine.[/quote]


Hello...............yes, I still own the shotgun. I've only owned it since the Fall of 2015.

Sure would like to see it. So many versions of it. Most Milled ribs had Trap on them yet a 3 pin, which I'm guessing yours might be does not. Need some Mod 12 porn posted.

Working fine on my end...

Most definitely pics when you can as this IS gonna be the only way to identify what you have without it being in hand! Per the serial number you gave the range puts it at around 1962 as you stated.

Few other things since you never mentioned them...

Barrel length and you did mention it was a full choke
Monte Carlo stock, does it have a recoil pad or not, if so solid or vented (honey combed)
Straight grip or pistol grip stock
2 3/4 inch chamber or 3 inch? 3" barrel would be stamped as such as well for 3" Super X making it a Magnum Duck Gun
You mentioned the rib has NO stamping on it whatsoever, except two beads center and muzzle, but what kind of base does the vent rib sit on, rectangular or round?

I don't have a 1962 Catalog but do a 1961 Catalog. One could special order certain upgrades to most firearms, specifically a Model 12. Some of these are follows:
straight grip instead of pistol grip stock
Monte Carlo stock with either straight or pistol grip, with or without cheekpiece or offset
New Winchester Ventilated rib with a checkered extension slide handle

There were 6 different Ventilated rib types from 1919, when first introduced until 1964. The 1st style is referred to as a "two pin milled ventilated rib. The Winchester Special Ventilated rib, which was patented by Simmons and manufactured by Winchester, which was referred as the "round post" donut base Vent rib. And the final style was referred to as the Winchester Special Ventilated Rib "round post". Two styles are referred to as "round post", the Winchester Special Ventilated Rib, and Three pin, Duck Bill Ventilated Rib. The last version used rectangular supports.

My understanding of course is that if a gun came with a Trap or a Pigeon stamp, then you know for sure that is what one has/had without a doubt. It sounds to me as if this was a Model 12 that was upgraded by the original owner when purchased new as many upgrades could be done then, effectively converting them to a trap gun, although not a "factory" graded trap gun.

Also, want to say welcome to the forum! Great place to be for anything Winchester! Post some pics cause I for one want to see this beauty!

Coldwargrunt and Everyone:
Thanks for all the details and information on my model 12.

Barrel says 2 3/4 only. There's no stamping at all about 3 inch.
There is NO stamping saying "trap" or pigeon.
The raised rib has rectangular posts.
TWO pins on the rib. Duck bill rib.
Barrel says Nickel Steel

It's a beautiful shotgun and functions extremely well. Very very smooth in operation.

Sorry guys......................for the millionth time I've tried to post photos. Changed sizes, etc., in an effort to make things work. Now, the systems says "Sorry, the board attachment quote has been reached." Would love to share photos of this model 12 and get more thoughts. Hopefully the attachment quota situation will be solved sometime soon. Thanks for all of your input. I'll attempt to post the photos again in time.

Thanks,
Jon

Jon B.
I'll try to add a bit to this but most was nicely covered. The square post add-on ribs were called "Money Maker" ribs. Many shooters found these attractive in the both.. low and high version. If the shotgun left the factory that way, which I don't believe it did, it would have 2 proof marks, 1 being on the front/upper/left of the receiver with the other being on the barrel extension right in front of the one on the receiver. Many guns were sent back to the factory for such upgrades and in my old eyes, they are as valuable as some that were factory built, same parts, with exception of the Pigeon guns that were extremely smooth worked over (actions) before leaving the factory. Later in the "Y" series "72" thru "74" the 12 was produced with a rectangular post under the rib. To me.. there is not a bad one out there, they've been around shooting strong for over a 100 years now and I'll say they'll be here doing the same in another 100. Have fun with it.

Collecting the 12's since I was 18 ..,
Pops