Question about finish on old Winchester Model 12

[$P-Ritch$]

Hey All,

My dad just picked up his second model 12 the other day from an old widow that just wanted to get rid of it. Her husband was the original owner and the thing is virtually pristine. There is just a little spot of rust on one part of the receiver.

To my question, the finish is an extremely shiny, pearlescent, type finish. It doesn't look like your typical bluing. It has a purple tint to it and I was just wondering if this is the original finish? On the side of the barrel it has "nickel steel" stamped into it. According to the serial number it was manufactured in 1925. For comparison my dad's other Mod 12 was manufactured in 1947 and is a plain matte gun metal color with "Winchester Proof Steel" printed on the barrel.

Nothing else on the gun seems customized or aftermarket and if this is the original finish I think the gun could be pretty valuable. Like I said it is in excellent condition and about to hit 90 years old.

Thanks for any input,

Jon

[uxo2]

Put oil on it and leave it alone

And where are the pics

[sd joe]

Leave it alone. One of mine has that purple color.

[sd joe]

If it is a Field Grade 12 ga the value is not that great. That is by far the most common of all model 12's. I bought a really nice one four or five years ago for $450.

[$P-Ritch$]

Reviving this post from Thanksgiving, I did not have my camera then. Here are some side by side pics of the "nickel steel" model 12 manufactured in 1923 next to a "Winchester proof steel" one made in 1945. I took both of them apart for cleaning and fresh oil and now they are cycling super smooth and shot pretty well at trap the other night.

[Thefeeder]

Hey All,

My dad just picked up his second model 12 the other day from an old widow that just wanted to get rid of it. Her husband was the original owner and the thing is virtually pristine. There is just a little spot of rust on one part of the receiver.

To my question, the finish is an extremely shiny, pearlescent, type finish. It doesn't look like your typical bluing. It has a purple tint to it and I was just wondering if this is the original finish? On the side of the barrel it has "nickel steel" stamped into it. According to the serial number it was manufactured in 1925. For comparison my dad's other Mod 12 was manufactured in 1947 and is a plain matte gun metal color with "Winchester Proof Steel" printed on the barrel.

Nothing else on the gun seems customized or aftermarket and if this is the original finish I think the gun could be pretty valuable. Like I said it is in excellent condition and about to hit 90 years old.

Thanks for any input,

Jon

From the pics, I would say refinished