70bigblockdodge --- Dave

What is special about a pre 64 Winchester Model 12?
I have a Model 12, not sure the year but my grandfather always said people wanted it and were willing to pay for it.
Makes me want to lookup the serial number.


Alan
 
What is special about a pre 64 Winchester Model 12?
I have a Model 12, not sure the year but my grandfather always said people wanted it and were willing to pay for it.
Makes me want to lookup the serial number.


Alan
Alan, They made just under 2,000,000 from 1912 thru' 1964. And they were and are still considered to be the Best and Finest Pump Shot Gun ever made. And A good field grade is demanding between $700 and $1,000. Wanna talk a short barrel Trench Gun or Riot Gun that were in WWI all the way up thru' Nam and who knows how many law enforcement agencies and you're looking at between $2500 and $6000 depending on who's selling it and how bad somebody wants it. Talk about the higher grades Skeet, Trap, Pidgeon? Engraved, Matching Multi Barrel Sets and you're up into $20K and beyond 50K 60K. I've owned 7 starting in 1950 when my dad bought me my first one at age 11. That one I slept with a few nights I was so proud of it. Next time you look at your Model 12 look at the little cross pin at the forward end of the magazine, and push the long end through to the other side. Then rotate the whole magazine about 70* by turning that pin along with the magazine tube. Then depress the bolt lock at the back end of the trigger guard and pump the action to open the bolt and see what happens and how far it pumps forward to close the bolt. Then holding the grip of the stock in one hand and the pump action in other hand twist both halves 90* in opposite directions and you'll know how easy it is to correctly break down your model 12. I expect a full report, lol. Jer
 
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Jer: If you buy that gun, Biden will be proud of you. . .
Rip my friend, If our new president haz hiz way I feel he will do everything within hiz power to see that there will no longer be A 2nd amendment. And I suspect he'll start by screwing with the price and accessibility of ammunition. BTW, That's not why I'm re-arming myself with a new Scatter Gun. My hands are so arthritic anymore I can no longer load the rounds into the clip of my automatic hand gun. But if a stranger finds his way into my home uninvited? I think just racking that pump one time and the sound it makes when you do, I really believe my uninvited guest will beg me not to shoot, Jer
 
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Rip my friend, If our new president haz hiz way I feel he will do everything within hiz power to see that there will no longer be A 2nd amendment. And I suspect he'll start by screwing with the price and accessibility of ammunition. BTW, That's not why I'm re-arming myself with a new Scatter Gun. My hands are so arthritic anymore I can no longer load the rounds into the clip of my automatic hand gun. But if a stranger finds his way into my home uninvited? I think just racking that pump one time and the sound it makes when you do, I really believe my uninvited guest will beg me not to shoot, Jer
Arthritis Sucks! I have it. Sorry for you, man.
 
What is special about a pre 64 Winchester Model 12?

Pre 1964 Winchester guns in general are considered to be of a better quality. In '64 Winchester changed up some production methods and finishes in order to be more competitive price wise. In my experience the guns are mechanically the same, but it really shows in the finishes, especially on guns built late 70s through the 80s.
 
Rip my friend, If our new president haz hiz way I feel he will do everything within hiz power to see that there will no longer be A 2nd amendment. And I suspect he'll start by screwing with the price and accessibility of ammunition. BTW, That's not why I'm re-arming myself with a new Scatter Gun. My hands are so arthritic anymore I can no longer load the rounds into the clip of my automatic hand gun. But if a stranger finds his way into my home uninvited? I think just racking that pump one time and the sound it makes when you do, I really believe my uninvited guest will beg me not to shoot, Jer

Yes. These guns have a fearful racking sound. Here is picture of one like my shotgun. It belonged to my father:

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Yes. These guns have a fearful racking sound. Here is picture of one like my shotgun. It belonged to my father:

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Your father presented you with a model 97 Rip
Pre 1964 Winchester guns in general are considered to be of a better quality. In '64 Winchester changed up some production methods and finishes in order to be more competitive price wise. In my experience the guns are mechanically the same, but it really shows in the finishes, especially on guns built late 70s through the 80s.
Big Blue C. Winchester also started using stamped out innards too when they switched their entire line in '64. That's why the gun world differentiates with the pre '64 and every thing after as post '64. Want a good .22 rifle? Find a model '61 hammerless pump or '62 with a exposed hammer or '63 automatic. All three are beautiful break down Winchesters just by unscrewing a gnarled knob on the receiver and they ain't cheap anymore. I had 6 Winchesters, 2 Brownings and 3 Smith & Wesson's walk out of our home on the 12th of August 1980. Ask me if I remember that day, Jer
And Rip, Basically the 97 iz the predecessor to the Model 12 and breaks in half the same way too. The difference IZ that you can shoot and rack another round with the model 12 from the hip. Try that with the model 97 and your trigger hand and the web between your thumb and trigger finger will be seriously FUBARED when the breach comez back to bite you.
 
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Find a model '61 hammerless pump or '62 with a exposed hammer or '63 automatic. All three are beautiful break down Winchesters just by unscrewing a gnarled knob on the receiver and they ain't cheap anymore.

I'm a fan of the old model Winchesters. I've handled one or two over the years. My old man has a model 62 chambered .22 short only (gallery gun). It's a smooth little shooter, but I'm still more of lever man, and I love exposed hammers on these older guns.

I hope you get your hands on that model 12. I've never had a 12 but I do keep a 1200 Defender nearby. It's a capable little boom-stick that can move through a doorway if needed.
 
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My dad passed this Winchester on to me. Says model 37 on the barrel. He said he used to hunt pheasant with it where he grew up in Fort Lee NJ. I’ve never fired it, but it is a cool piece of family history.

My son wants it for the same reason Jer just mentioned, facing a long gun, any intruder will think twice about sticking around.
 
I’ve never fired it

Why not?

I like the 37s. I have one that was passed on to me. It was my first shot gun that I could run around with as a kid. They don't get much love, but the early red letter ones pull a price.

My son wants it for the same reason Jer just mentioned, facing a long gun, any intruder will think twice about sticking around.

Just my opinion, but that's not the gun for that. Likely find your self in a worse situation.
 
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That's just one more reason I've always loved the model 12, a full magazine iz 5 roundz and with a shorted barrel a shot from across the street will cover my 18' garage door, see Jer grin.
 
Dug the Model 12 out It is kept in a box made by my grandfather. Although it hasn't been used in years it went together with no issues. The last time I had this at the range I had some issues with the slide not locking when you rack a new round.
The serial number is 1861566 and from some site on the internet it is a 1962, it appears an aftermarket but pad was put on it.
30" barrel.


The slide moves about 2" before the bolt lock starts moving.
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Alan
 
30" barrel

30" and full choke. She'd be a good bird hunting gun, or a nice challenge with skeet. It looks to be in really nice condition. It looks like it's been oiled or waxed like it should be. :thumbsup:

The slide moves about 2" before the bolt lock starts moving.

Did you mean 1/2" which would be a little loose, but more or less normal? At 2" I'm surprised that it operates. This video might interest you, and a few others here.

 
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