Johnson designed the Models 52 and 61 rimfire rifles and the Model 54 centerfire rifle. The help you need is to get a life. Then people would choose a grade of model 12 and add or change things to ther hunting or shooting style. Manufactured in 1959. Western rapidly achieved a leading position in the ammunition industry through innovation and skillful management. In fact, Madis states Any twelve gauge Model Twelve could be re-chambered and reworked to shoot three inch shells for a small additional charge[by Winchester], yet few guns were reworked in this way. I can find no external differences in receiver dimensions, other than the ejection port, between standard and magnum versions. Winchester Model 1300 Speed Pump - 12 GA $395.00: 0 $395.00 5d 15h 14m I have a donut post trap gun but not a pigeon, had two 3 inch guns, one had donut post the other had a round post. Regards Chuck. Checkered stocks and extension slide handles were available as options on the standard grade throughout most of the duck guns production. My name is Chuck 620 515 0556. Also, it was the only 1 3/8-ounce magnum load available. Fanciers of long-range shotguns now had a 12-gauge repeater shooting a 10-gauge shot load. Can you help me out? My favorite 2 pins were Trap Guns made between 1957-1959 including special order Pigeon grades; fit, finish and blueing was best in those later years. Clear (Winchester Wikipedia Page) 27 Item(s) Found Page 1 1. The survival of both Western and Winchester now depended on Olin management. On the other hand, a duck caught in the middle of one of these dense-centered pattern sat 40 yards would receive a dozen or more pellets. 1955 Winchester Model 12 20 GA Simmons Rib AA+ Wood Full choke was the only standard boring available. very accurate description and fast delivery, HOCH Reloading Single Cavity Mold c56 309170 .309 170gr nose pour NICE (#334593408927), Arrived quickly, well packaged, item is as described. Some late duck guns came with special order Hydro-Coil stocks, according to Madis. Actually, it is generally thought by researchers that no Winchester factory Model 12 ribs were made or installed by Simmons. WINCHESTER MODEL 12 for sale - gunsinternational.com The surge of zooming pinions [wings]! The Simmons rib is done at Winchesters direction as it has the WP proof offset from the rib. Metal parts of the Model 12 are machined from chrome-molybdenum, the toughest, longest wearing and finest gun steel known. Barrel lengths were 30 or 32 inches, but 32-inch barrels were discontinued in 1948. Epic 22 Pocket Pistol: The Beretta 71 Jaguar. JavaScript is disabled. Free Shipping, No Credit Card Fees. MAKE OFFER. Winchester installed Simmons ribs and Simmons-designed ventilated ribs for several years. IC CHOKED MIROKU MADE. The Model 12 duck gun came to market at the all-time low point of duck populations in the United States. Severe drought conditions gripped the United States and Canada during the 1930s. This is why they were rust blued instead of hot blued. The new value of a WINCHESTER MODEL 12 shotgun has fallen ($937.31) dollars over the past 12 months to a price of $484.80 . Here's what it's like to shoot this classic scattergun. Model 42s with donut post ribs, no Simmons markings, proof marks in the right places, in the proper serial number range, are considered to have been made to completion in the Winchester factory. It is possible for the slide lock to fail to unlock the action during recoil. The famous Winchester Model 1912 pump shotgun was designed by Winchester's Thomas C. Johnson. Free shipping for many products! This likely was the last mention of solid ribs in Winchester literature. The duck gun was discontinued in 1963. Shopping at Guns.com gives you the backing Keith stated in 1967: The old 70% standard is now obsolete and most any full choke gun will go 75% or better. This is a 12 GA pump shotgun manufactured in 1950. Produced in 1961. Edwin Pugsley, in charge of Winchester at the time of receivership, is quoted in Williamsons book: The purchase of the company by the Olin interests brought a breath of life to the institution and brought to Winchester many things. A new chamber ring and a # 1 heavy draw adjusting sleeve. DAC 1 1/2"&n, FRO YOUR VIEWING IS A EXCEPTIONALY NICE MODEL 12 IN 3' HEAVY DUCK. It was manufactured in 1962 and is a skeet grade. 1935 3" magnum offerd, will convert all 12 gages if wanted to 3" magnums, the begining of the long forcing cone. A milled rib Model 12 is a milled rib Model 12, but the terminology is used a bit loosely. Eight major concealed carry insurance programs are now available to the millions of Americans who carry concealed. I would think if you did shoot you proble flinch like heck becouse ther must be a lot of jerk in you. We'rebringing a level of Gunsmithing Services - Simmons Gun Repair Winchester Model 12 Ribs? | Shotgun Forum It was a little rough so I am doing a restoration. In the 1950's Winchester's costs were losing pace with what they were ablle to sell their products for. The deeply blued barrel and receiver frame are very good. 1938 lists the stock for a 12 gauge skeet grade as 14" with a Buttplate. The trap load was included because trap shooting is suited to the duck gun. I decided to test the patterning of the five loads detailed in the accompanying table. His handload was a .heavy load of Herco powder and 2 ounces of shot, either 2s or 4s. Winchester model 12 26" vent rib poly choke barrel , Winchester - Model 12, Deluxe, Pump Action, RARE 28ga. Winchester Model 12 Pigeon 28 Gauge Single Family Owned Since 1967, Vent. THE VENTILATED RIB IS BY SIMMONS GIN, 16ga, Full Choke, 26" barrel with a bright and shiny bore. The fact that the Winchester proof marks are now 'off set', caused me to believe the gun may have been returned to the factory for the rib installation. Checkered semi-fancy walnut pistol grip stock with extended forearm and a solid Winchester recoil pad. By signing up you agree to Guns.com's Like new with a mark on the top of th, Winchester Model 21 Heavy Duck, 12ga, 30" barrels, solid rib, 3" mag. Askins wrote in his 1929 book Modern Shotguns and Loads: Perhaps half the game that is killed in America today is shot with repeating shotguns, pump or automatic. The rib wasn't offered until 1954 according to the Dave Riffle Model 12 book so it wasn't originally produced at the Winchester Factory. The straighter stock reduced perceived recoil. Sold them when we down sized to a smaller house that did not have a custom built safe room in it like the old house. It was an immediate success. Range was 40 yards from gun muzzle to target frame. Winchester ~ Model 12 Custom~ 12 GA | Cabela's McIntosh notes that the Super-X shotshell was a breakthrough to the modern age of shotgun ammunition. In a full-page ad in the September 1926 issue of the American Rifleman, Western claimed Killing power 15 to 20 yards beyond the effective range of ordinary loads.This was based on a documented reduction in stringing of the shot charge, from about 20 feet to about 4 feet, at 42 yards. The gun weighed 8 1/2 pounds with its 32-inch Full choke barrel. Winchester Model 12 Shotguns For Sale Shotgun Winchester Model 12. The Winchester Model 12: A Look Back - An Official Journal Of The NRA His Super Fox 12 gauge magnum double averaged 83.7% (two-barrel average) of 1 3/8ounces of shot under the same conditions. Askins and Buckingham would sure be surprised at how far the 12 magnum has come. In those good old days of the 1960s the ducks flew just above the cattails and shots were plentiful. This was after extensive reworking of the chokes by Ithaca. This percentage was disappointing compared to the 80% or better patterns obtained with other duck guns tested by the staff. Most everything can be easily bought online these days. Buckingham is jump-shooting with his big double gun. $899.97. Winchester designed the Model 42 to use the new shell and the combo went to market in 1932. The new 1935-style buttstock featured a closer and fuller pistol grip. Item. Interchangeable barrels (forend assembly) for 2 3/4-inch shells and choke of choice were special order. Winchester needed to cut it's manufacturing costs and the milled vented rib was a costly proceedure. . during that time I handled many M-12's of varying configurations. Factroy finish on metal, custom wood. During that time they largely made the right business decisions, hired the right people, and enjoyed a fair share of luck. The 12 month average price is $622.51 new and $661.18 used. Winchester Model 12 Shotguns For Sale - GunAuction.com The duck gun version of the Model 12, introduced in 1935, was a natural consequence of duck hunters in charge of Winchester. The Olins soon added to the attractiveness of the Model 12 duck gun by bringing out a new 1 5/8-ounce load for the 3-inch shell. As you know that, Winchester Model 12 (factory original) 28-gauge pump action shotgun. M, ventilated rib, mid 1950's manufacture, completely original, only one ever produced by Winchester, ultimate rarity for the Model 12 co, 12ga, #1737096, standard gun that has been restocked and has a Simmons ventilated rib added, 12ga, 30 inch barrel, full choke, 2 3/4 inch chamber, 14 3/4 inch LOP with "Decelerator" pad, blu, Winchester Model 12 - 20ga - 26 - Improved Cylinder- NIB - UNFIRED - SN: MT0162 - AS NEW with high figured wood, Winchester Model 12 28 gauge Skeet solid rib. The late style stock featured a flared pistol grip moved back a bit from the trigger. The original "Old milled rib" was developed by Winchester in the 1920's- but like so many of the older quality features, post WW11 competition by Remington and Ithaca made Olin-Winchester more "cost concerned"-- Many Model 12's were equipped with Simmons ribs afterwards, some were sent to New Haven by Simmons, and some Model 12's (and others . - Straight Sighting Plane - Floating Vent rib action - Extra Strong Silver soldered posts Gun Type Over/Under w/RBSingle Barrel w/RB on your local stores shelf, most retailers drop ship it from a warehouse in The short shot string put more shot into a duck whistling by at 50 yards. For more information: www.p65warnings.ca.gov. In an ad in the October 1952 American Rifleman, Winchester proclaimed. later on flinching became a problem with 12 gauge shooters becouse of 300 round tournaments. Saint Charles, Missouri. Manufactured in 1959. Chamber marked 2 3/4", choke marked modified, and 14" LOP. The price in 1963 was $122 compared to $109.50 for the standard Model 12. 12 Gauge, For sale is the Winchester Model 12. Remington re-tooled from the M31 to the stamp, push and press 870 which sold for less than the M12. He did note, however, that the rib first appeared at about serial number 240,000. The barrel is stamped "WS 1" with 2 3/4, ****SOLD******Mfg 1956, 30" 2-Pin Vent Rib, Full, B-Carved Wood, 13 3/4" Lop to Winchester Pad, Wood shows some handling marks Nothing Bad, 90-95% Blue, Shiney Bore, Buyer pays 60.00 shippin. L.O.P. The duck gun sent to the American Rifleman staff in 1935 would not unlock during recoil. Franklin W. Olin founded Western Cartridge Company in 1898. Standard Grade: 12-, 16-, 20- and 28-gauge; plain, solid or ventilated rib round barrels; standard lengths 26", 28", 30", 32"; plain walnut pistol-grip stock; grooved slide handle. THIS SHOTGUN WAS A LIMITED RUN OF 4000 MADE BETWEEN 93-95. Jack OConnor was there and sets the scene nicely in the Complete Book of Shooting. Contact us if you need an add on vent rib for your shotgun or order your Simmons ventilated rib barrel today! Since Every shotgun manufacturer is a friend of mine, Askins views were well known in the industry. I know the patent date for this rib was 1919. Buy a Winchester Model 12 12ga., 30-inch Full choke, Simmons ventilated rib; this gun was made in 1941 (se for sale by Vintage Sporting on GunsAmerica.com the best online marketplace for buying and selling semi auto pistols, firearms, accessories, and collectibles : 963027340 Popularly named the Perfect Repeater at its introduction, it largely set the standard for pump action shotguns over its 51-year high-rate production life. Model Configurations of the Winchester 12 Shotgun - Homestead Service The less pronounced pistol grip-style buttstock of the original Model 12 was discontinued in late 1934 and is not found on duck guns. The receiver is heavier and so is the barrel. It is not as slow or pokey as one might expect. The staff shot skeet with the gun and concluded It is not as fast as the standard Model-12, but nearly so., In further shooting tests the staff found We could not discern any practical difference in recoil effect when shooting standard three inch heavy duck loads. Winchester supplied two boxes of 3-inch shells loaded with 1 3/8-ounces of #5 chilled shot pushed by four drams equivalent of powder. Reduced bag limits and shell capacities for repeating shotguns were introduced. Askins concludes How far are we going to be able to kill ducks? In 1963, when production ended, Riffles book shows no options available. And unlike our competitors, it extends beyond the buying process. Featured Gun Classifieds Winchester Shotguns - Model 12, Winchester Model 12 - 20ga - 26 - Improved Cylinder- NIB - UNFIRED - SN: MT0162 - AS NEW with high figured wood - 2 3/4" Shells note: particles/dust can be seen in the photo, In very good condition. Bids. The straight grip stock, optional from 1935, was discontinued in the late 1950s. Serial numbers match on barrel and receiver. I am tempted to stop off awhile and call. Winchester proof steel is chrome-molybdenum steel. The 30" vent rib barrel is very good with a bright shiny bo, This Winchester Model 12 in 12 Gauge is in good condition with moderate wear to the wood surfaces and light thinning of the bluing on the barrel. I was at a local gunshop this morning and was looking at a model 12 2-3/4" that had a Simmons rib. The pidgeon-grade duck gun was discontinued in 1961. From its debut until the end of the 1950's, the Winchester Model 1912 was the pump shotgun, long known as "the perfect repeater." That is why I have never used one of my duck guns for duck hunting. Smith brand, by the A.H. Fox Company of Philadelphia, by Parker, and by Ithaca. The $48 price tag was right. Will Winchester ever build the Model 12 again? Winchester Model 12 12 GA For Sale - GunAuction.com Enthusiastic hunters bought the new repeater. I worked in two gun shops when I was in college. MAKE OFFER. Initially came a series of auto-loading rifles, including the rimfire Model 1903 and centerfire rifles, culminating with the Model 1910, chambered for the 401 WSL cartridge. Charles Askins commented on the new Model 12 duck gun in the March 1936 issue of Outdoor Life: This should be the best long-range repeating shotgun now made or that has been made. No faint praise, but hardly a surprise. You are also correct that the different rib styles used on Model 12's can get confusing..EG. The Model 12, already 23 years old, was one of many successful designs by Thomas C. Johnson. Ducks Unlimited was born in 1937 to aid in restoration of wetland breeding areas, primarily in Canada. Winchester sent some M-12s to Simmons to have ribs installed, Simmons returned them to Win. Olin included his new Super-X magnum 3-inch shells loaded with 1 3/8 ounces of shot. The committee appointed to study the requirements for continuing business reported a successful reorganization would require the raising of a substantial amount of new capital. That capital was supplied by the Olin family of Olin Industries, owners of Western Cartridge Company. (no choke stamp on barrel). Made in 1928, 12 Gauge, 28"" barrel. Open Fullscreen. All Rights Reserved, Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck Gun 30" Simmons Vent Rib 1953 Pre 64 Rare 12 Ga. Magnum 3" Edition Proof Marking. Second Media Corp., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. It is the skeet style of stock with a comb drop of 1 1/2 2 1/2 inches, and a 14-inch length, butt to trigger. Look for an offset proof mark on the barrel to indicate whether the rib came on the gun or was fitted aftermarket. This is not John Waynes revolver it is a modern work of art! Included with the gun is its orig, Winchester Model 12, 28 Gauge in very good to near fine original condition. The Model 21 received duck gun status in 1940, although 3-inch chambers could be ordered earlier. Its been debated over the years if the solid rib model 12 barrel were silver brazed or fused with heat? Model 12 was offered in several different styles: 1. becouse plain barrels shoot higher than solid ribs do ,solid ribs shoot flatter. The standard 12-gauge duck load in 1921 was a 2 3/4-inch shell holding 3 3/4-drams equivalent powder and 1 1/4-ounces of shot. Mechanically, the Model 12 duck gun differs little in design from the standard Model 12. We join Buckingham in his ducking skiff as he is poled through the bayou by Ab, his black guide. Experts can attest to the vast improvements they have found shooting with the Simmons Ventilated Rib. It is, somehow, not easy to avoid shoving shells wrong end first into ones gun. Click here for more information. so recall pads helped and they offerd hydro coil-stocks. Free Shipping, No Credit Card Fees. Get Guns.com offers and news!! That luck ran out following World War I when the arms industry declined and the management of Winchester was relinquished to outsiders. The locked breech bolts of both guns have little perceptible play when the rear of the bolt is pressed from the side. Winchester Model 12 in 16 ga with a 26" barrel with a full choke. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Winchester Model 12 12 ga 30 in Barrel 2 3/4" Full vent rib Barrel NICE! 1937 2pin vent rib offerd, all skeet grade guns offerd with solid or plain barrels. The 12-gauge 3-inch magnum shotshell was developed to achieve this objective. the ventilated rib is by simmons gin works. Winchester Model 12 12 ga 30 in Barrel 2 3/4" Full vent rib Barrel NICE Although acquired many years apart, the two duck guns are of nearly the same vintages, 1952 and 1953. It has the long action slide handle. Winchester symbol # G1285S. Buckingham had a solid 60-yard duck gun and was on his way to becoming a legend. 2023 Rock Island Auction Company. or Rudy Dozenrod out of Wyndemere, S.D. Winchester Pump Shotguns (2) - Collectors Firearms Simmons vent rib installed. your community AND if they have it in stock, you can pick your gun up , The Winchester Model 12 Y series was introduced in 1972 and made until about 1984. own to figure out what you want. Western brought out their Super-X 2-3/4 and 3-inch shotshells in 1921. Built from 1912 to 1963. Twelve magnum guns grew lighter over the years and consequently kick harder. The takedown joints are tight (See the instructions in Madis book if your Model 12 has a loose take-down joint). Writing in the March 1927 issue of the American Rifleman, Askins reports that his Remington Model 10 12-gauge pump averaged 89% of 1 1/4-ounces of shot in a 3-inch circle at 40 yards. *** RARE *** Winchester Model 12 HEAVY DUCK GUN limited production run that combines the pre-64 Model 12 with a 12 ga. Magnum 30" barrel, factory production 3" Magnum, with a factory Simmons Vent Rib on an upgraded wood stock! There are currently no customer product questions on this lot. Each fired target was turned over and a 30-inch cardboard disc placed to cover the maximum number for pellet holes. Mfg 1917, 25" Barrel, Mod, Correct Forend and Buttstock, Small chip out of toe of butt plate, Wood is not damaged, Good Bore, Pictures show condition, Buyer pays 50.00 shipping Pa residents add 6, This Winchester Model 12 is a post 1972 gun with a "Y' prefix serial number. Recent 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge shells will create dangerous pressure in the 3-inch duck gun chamber. Not shown in the table of results are the dense centers of patterns obtained with #4 shot compared to # 8 and #2 shot. Condition: excellent bright bore, 98% blue overall thinn, Winchester Model 12. Winchester Model 12 1940's gun. Advanced . Winchester Model 42 Slide Action Shotgun with Simmons Vent Rib First of all was the end of management by people who were not familiar or sympathetic with the gun and ammunition business. The Olins were avid duck hunters. No other pump shotgun feels like the duck gun. Modified choke. So a shooter really doesnt need a rib. Westerns 3-inch 12-gauge magnum with 1 3/8-ounces of shot was introduced the same year. This gun is in excellent condition and has very desireable solid rib barrel with full choke. Every cowboy needs a revolver. Ithaca brought out their Magnum 10double to use the new shell. Thus it was that the American Rifleman staff thought it odd that Winchester brought out the 3-inch chamber in their Model 12 pump gun. Madis states Winchester spent a great deal of time and effort to develop better chokes. Furthermore, Winchester constantly experimented, searching for improvements in all chokes, even the old standby full choke. Winchester almost certainly would have perfected their Full-choke Model 12 duck gun to maximize patterns with #4 lead shot, the size most mentioned for long-range duck shooting in publications prior to the advent of non-toxic shot. I used to club trap targets with it. George Madis indicates in his book The Winchester Model Twelve that about 18,000 Model 12 duck guns were sold during the 1935-1941 period. Save my name and email to use for future comments. Charles Askins, in an article entitled Long Range Shotguns in the January 1930 issue of the American Rifleman, concludes that a 12-gauge magnum with 1 3/8-ounces of shot, patterning 80% or better is pretty reliable [on ducks] at 65 yards. However, Askins goes on to say I have never, personally, had a shotgun which would reach far enough. Before the eight gauge was banned in 1918, Askins had a Greener eight-gauge double with 36-inch barrels weighing 13 pounds. I also have seen a few in my day where the solid rib was removed and actually sent a customers Black Diamond to Simmons back in the seventies to put a vent rib on a solid rib gun. Gunsmithing Services - Simmons Gun Repair Full list of professional Gunsmithing services and prices at Simmons Gun Repair Shop All productsBest sellingHand gunsRiflesShot gunsAmmunitionOther ServicesBuild an ARAboutFAQContact UsSign Up Shop All productsBest sellingHand gunsRiflesShot gunsAmmunitionOther ServicesBuild an ARAboutFAQContact UsSign Up Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck Gun 30" Simmons Vent Rib 1953 Pre-64 Winchester proof steel replaced nickel steel in the manufacture of all Winchester firearms in the early 1930s. John Olin initiated an analysis of Winchesters commercial line in 1942. That way, were helping small businesses in When I went to the university in a different town I worked for another gun shop that was an authorized Winchester Repair Center. 4 chilled shot.. This gives a wrinkled appearance on bottom of pistol grip and bottom of forend. I am anxious to get it back from the engraver. The earliest gun they found with a 2-pin rib has a serial number of 2037xx with a date of June 30th, 1919. When it was. I have often wondered how well my guns would pattern with modern ammunition. However, Winchester and his succeeding family members successfully managed Winchester Repeating Arms Company from 1866 to 1919. You are correct. I fired 10 patterns for each of the five test loads in each of the two duck guns, for a total of 100 patterns. 1934 skeet grade offerd. part of our network, we sell THEIR guns first whenever possible. Thereafter, a staggering number of variations were produced during the 1912-1980 period. The era of the double gun was ending as World War II approached. Stock has a Monte Carlo cheekpiece and European pistol grip with a right hand palm swell. Winchester ~ Model 12 Custom~ 12 GA Used Guns. Original appearing donut post and round post vent rib Model 12s with no Simmons markings and proof marks in the proper places are generally thought by collectors to have been made to completion in the Winchester factory. Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Pictures are of the item listed. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS Model 12 - Gun Digest Mechanically excellent. It is in excellent condition with only light handing marks, Used Browning BT99 Plus 12 gauge 28" bbl fixed choke mod good condition no box no manuals Buyer pays shipping Millers Gun Center Located in New Castle, Delaware "Home of TAX, WINCHESTER MODEL 12 16GA PUMP ACTION SHOTGUN, 26" BBL, 2 3/4, POLY CHOKE, RIBLESS, EJECTORS, SINGLE TRIGGER, MEDIUM DARK FIGURED WALNUT, PISTOL GRIP, LOP 14 3/8, 1 1/2, 2 5/16, 7LBS 3OZ, 985 BLUE, Winchester. I RATE THE BLUING AT 98% AND THE WOOD AT 96+%. The Olins used the Western ammunition plant at East Alton, Illinois, as collateral for borrowing about four million in cash, no small feat in the fall of 1931. Auction Date: December 7, 2019 Estimated Price: $ 8,500 - $ 13,000 Price Realized: Details Exceptional and Documented Smoothbore Winchester Model 61 Slide Action "Rifle" with Simmons Vent Rib and Box Manufacturer: Winchester Model: 61 Type: Shotgun Gauge: 22 LR Shot Barrel: 24 inch vent rib Finish: blue Grip: Stock: walnut Item Views: 1599 If not it has been shot very little and stored under the right conditions. The standard length was 2-5/8 inches. Buy 1955 Winchester Model 12 20 GA Simmons Rib AA+ Wood: GunBroker is the largest seller of Pump Action Shotguns Shotguns Guns & Firearms All: 974012213. Standard markings, with matching numbers on the receiver and barrel. In their view, the Model 12 pump with 3-inch chamber was likely to sell better than a similarly chambered Model 21 double. I had a friend who is deceased now that did extensive research on the Model 12 2-pin rib. There is some difference in what they say but are good reference. Chamber marked 3", choke marked full, and 14 1/2" LOP. Possible the fore end has been either replaced or re done. I have the wood all refinished. No Reserve. At Guns.com, if an FFL is For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Pattern percentages were around 70% with these latter loads. - Top Rated Plus - opens in a new window or tab, - eBay Money Back Guarantee - opens in a new window or tab. Nash Buckingham was one of the great duck-hunting writers of the period. The new Model 12 duck gun was introduced to long-range waterfowl hunters habituated to heavy double shotguns chambered for 3-inch shells. Blue Book on this fine collector 12 gauge is around $2,700! Helping out a person with 3378 posts who if they spent 5min. The slide handle was enlarged in about 1956 to a slightly extended beaver tail shape with 14 circular grooves. Shooting the Model 12 Duck Gun I own two Model 12 duck guns. Loose bolts and excess head-space occur only after long service. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. According to my source your Model 12 Winchester was made in 1924, so it is 89 years old. winchester model 12 description: for sale is a very nice vintage winchester model 12, 12ga ga shotgun. Model 42s with later ribs than the donut post, with no Simmons markings or with Simmons markings, and with proof marks in the proper places are thought to have had their ribs installed at Simmons and sent back to Winchester for marketing or marketed at Simmons. Stock is very fine, with light scratching, pressure dents and an attractive grain pattern.