My new old Win Model 12

[jgaffney]

I just picked this up this evening.



According to the serial number, it was manufactured in 1926.



There's no bluing left on the receiver, but there's no rust, either. Just a little pitting on the bolt that will clean right off.



It has a Cutt's Compensator on the end of the barrel. I think I have to cut it off. I see them all the time on GunBroker, so there must be some residual value in it.



Nothing here a little gun oil and steel wool won't take off.



The furniture is in excellent shape. I won't touch this.

My plan is to have my gunsmith cut and re-crown the barrel, then re-blue the barrel and receiver. I know, it'll destroy the collector's value, but I don't care. I have a collection of military rifles (M1917, Garand, Carbine, AR), and I want something that will fit right in. It'll be a brand-new 80 year old shotgun.

I have some questions on the barrel. It's not marked for shell size, just "Nickel Steel Full Choke." Is this one of the oddball 2 9/16" chambers? I'll have the gunsmith check it out. Also, I wouldn't even try to shoot steel shot though the original barrel and the places where I can shoot lead shot are getting pretty scarce. Will the Numrich replacement barrels take steel shot, or should I look elsewhere?

[parcours]

Very nice...

Here's what I did with a 1925 M12 20ga.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=163126&page=4

Go to post 33.

[Clinton]

I wouldn't worry too much about hurting the value by rebluing. It looks to be a standard grade Model 12 just like mine. They built a gazillion of them and, other than the ones in like new condition, will never be worth a whole lot. I blued mine. It was either that or lose it to rust. They're fine shooters so do what you must to keep it "shoot worthy".

Nice find by the way.

[joepamjohn]

Have that chamber checked by a gunsmith before shooting it. Most 2 3/4" barrels were marked accordingly.

[akjunkie]

Very nice...

Here's what I did with a 1925 M12 20ga.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=163126&page=4

Go to post 33.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man, gotta love them rich, dark colors. Great job restoring it.

[El Gato]

LEAVE THE CUTTS....
not for collector value.. but because they work... really well if installed straight... they make a "spreader" choke for it that is really cool for short range self defense...and I keep a IC choke in mine for the same reason...also... try shooting it without the choke in place... looks like a 4 bore when looking down the business end... much coolness... and with any of the chokes in place it works rather well to cut some of the recoil... it is loud however...and it is on a relatively short barrel so it doesn't really effect handling that much... very nice...I have a fellow officer looking for one just like it in a 1897 or a model 12...
coolness...

also... check the barrel length before you go about cutting it... I have one that is barely legal with the mount of the cutts sodered on...
blue it and have a good time shooting it... you might also check numrich or someone for a new barrel... there are occasionally ones available...

[rojocorsa]

Is this one which does not include a trigger disconnector?

[freonr22]

how muich was it? I want one

[jgaffney]

how much was it? I want one

$300 at Petaluma Gun & Reloading. I also saw 2 of them, plus a couple of Ithaca 37's at Cabela's in Boomtown. Cabela's wants more, though. Plus, you have to pay $40 shipping to your favorite Calif FFL.

If you don't want to drive to Reno, just keep looking - they're out there.

[SDgarrick]

Lovely old gun. Makes me cringe to hear it being reblued, but then, I refinished a mosin once, so I can't talk. cheers

[parcours]

Lovely old gun. Makes me cringe to hear it being reblued, but then, I refinished a mosin once, so I can't talk. cheers

I know, I had the same thoughts for my 1925 M12-20ga... But after seeing the finished product, it's better than new (OK, maybe not, but close)

I have a M42 first year production Skeet Grade that needs a little TLC. I'm thinking of also restoring it. The major difference is, there's not many M42 Skeet Grades around... May not be the best thing to do....

[doran4x]

Don't cut the Cutts. Cool gun with old school parts.

[SDgarrick]

I know, I had the same thoughts for my 1925 M12-20ga... But after seeing the finished product, it's better than new (OK, maybe not, but close)

I have a M42 first year production Skeet Grade that needs a little TLC. I'm thinking of also restoring it. The major difference is, there's not many M42 Skeet Grades around... May not be the best thing to do....

For me the difference is "what am I destroying?" In the case of your 1925 M12, there were many built, and your not really destroying anything that should necessarily be preserved in it's current state, as was the case with my Mosin, which is one of 17 million. Though that m42 first year skeet grade... I dunno.

Either way, lets see some pics, eh!

[parcours]

For me the difference is "what am I destroying?" In the case of your 1925 M12, there were many built, and your not really destroying anything that should necessarily be preserved in it's current state, as was the case with my Mosin, which is one of 17 million. Though that m42 first year skeet grade... I dunno.

Either way, lets see some pics, eh!

As soon as I get back from the SHOT Show I'll take some pics and post them.

I've had the M42 for 29 years... I bought it at the Pomona Great Western Show, if you remember.... Man those were the days... Anyway some old guy had like 15 M42's at his table (not Ron Pulone) and this Solid Rib Skeet grade was in the middle of the bunch. Needles to say I walk away with it, and so glad I did. I've seen a handful (maybe 3) solid rib/first year production skeet grades since then... Other than a Deluxe Skeet Grade, I don't know what could be nicer.

[joepamjohn]

. I bought it at the Pomona Great Western Show, if you remember.... Man those were the days...

Pomona................Ohhh you had to go there... Quite possibly the best gun show ever, even if it was in California.

Man, what an event that was. I just got chills when I read your post....