Winchester model 12

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john fisher

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I recently got this Winchester model 12 and I was wondering if the poly choke that comes with it is factory. Serial number is 1248820 and the poly choke says poly choke co. Hartford Conn. -patente. I would also like to know what the value of it is too please.  IMG_20190707_132215.jpg IMG_20190707_132314.jpg
 

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I can't tell you if the poly choke is original or not. I can tell you the poly choke reduces the value of the shotgun. Any model 12 that shots should be worth $500. Ones in exceptional condition dependent on grade are worth $700-1500 IMO. Yours seems to be in slightly above average condition, poly choke being considered, if I owned it and wanted to sell I'd ask $600
 
It'd be sitting around a while for that around here, I can find shootable 30" Full Model 12's all day for $300, Model 97's even. A poly choke on anything around here tops the price out at bout $200 usually; the finish on that 12 is better than most I see, but because of the Poly choke, that's a $300 gun here.
 
Some Google-fu on my end indicates that if the barrel states a choke, then the polychoke is aftermarket (factory poly-choked guns apparently omitted any text indicating a choke). Since yours states that it's a CYL choke barrel, then the polychoke is likely aftermarket. And as said, factory or not, Poly-chokes hurt the value of a gun. They work fine, and are a practical device, but they are ugly (that's subjective of course, but it's a wide enough held opinion that it hurts the value).

As far value I'd personally say around $300 - 325 or so. IMHO if you want a shooter rather than a collector's piece the Winchester Model 25 is the place to look. Its basically identical to the Model 12 but without the takedown feature, which isn't something I really care about anyways. The fact that the model # is 25 instead of 12 though often means they sell for about half as much . . .
 
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From the SN, it was made in 1950. It also has the flat bottomed forend and pistol grip that would have shipped that year, so the wood appears correct. The poly is definitely not factory for the reasons given above. If it was original, the CYL choked barrel was more rare than most and would have had a higher value than normal, but add the polychoke and the value drops way out of it. I agree with the $300 being a fair value. Neat gun!
 
While there were factory Cutts equipped guns, I'm pretty sure there weren't a y Polys. My M12 WS1 skeet has a Cutts as well as the WS1 choke designation. Not original as barrel wasn't forged with the adapter. Price variations, if an original M12 skeet, $900 in equivalent condition. Add 50% for factory Cutts. Deduct 50% for add on Cutts. Creates a little stir when I shoot a round with it. "What is that?" "It's what your granddad used for skeet."
 
Papa G,I do believe the skeet and trap Model12's all had the ventilated rib on the barrel. Granted the poly choke does detract from the value, however if it is a shotgun you plan to hunt with, it is a bargain at $300.00 as was already mentioned due to it's prime condition.

About 15 years ago I bought a Model 12 from a fellow worker that was really a basket case, although it did have a 30" full choked barrel. It had a hardened untrimmed recoil pad on it, covered in surface rust, and the slide action was very difficult to operate, and the stock had some pretty nasty dings, I offered him $150.00 and ended up taking it home with me. (At the time Big 5 had a sale on pump shotguns for $149.00) Anyway when I got the gun home I completely broke the gun down, and found all kinds of birds feathers jamming up the slide rail.

To make a long story short, I placed a new Pacmyer pad all trimmed up, refinished the stock, removed all the surface rust from the barrel and receiver, and then took it to my local trap range, to which I shot a 22/25, low and behold, I was offered $600.00, for that gun, Note when it had been blued back in 1931 the steel must have had some type of mineral in it as the receiver and parts of the barrel had a purple haze to it, and no I didn't see a need to have it re-blued. BTW I still have the gun although the guy that made the offer has several times since offered to buy it from me.
 
I have a 20 gauge field grade, that I purchased in October 1963, the stock had been shortened and a pad added. A couple of years ago I bought a 16 gauge field grade for 200.00 at a local LGS. Now if I could find a 12 gauge at a reasonable price, I would be all set, except for the model 42. :) They are great shotguns.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
 
Papa G,I do believe the skeet and trap Model12's all had the ventilated rib on the barrel. Granted the poly choke does detract from the value, however if it is a shotgun you plan to hunt with, it is a bargain at $300.00 as was already mentioned due to it's prime condition.

About 15 years ago I bought a Model 12 from a fellow worker that was really a basket case, although it did have a 30" full choked barrel. It had a hardened untrimmed recoil pad on it, covered in surface rust, and the slide action was very difficult to operate, and the stock had some pretty nasty dings, I offered him $150.00 and ended up taking it home with me. (At the time Big 5 had a sale on pump shotguns for $149.00) Anyway when I got the gun home I completely broke the gun down, and found all kinds of birds feathers jamming up the slide rail.

To make a long story short, I placed a new Pacmyer pad all trimmed up, refinished the stock, removed all the surface rust from the barrel and receiver, and then took it to my local trap range, to which I shot a 22/25, low and behold, I was offered $600.00, for that gun, Note when it had been blued back in 1931 the steel must have had some type of mineral in it as the receiver and parts of the barrel had a purple haze to it, and no I didn't see a need to have it re-blued. BTW I still have the gun although the guy that made the offer has several times since offered to buy it from me.
Don't know where the rib issue came in here but yes, skeet and trap guns almost invariably had them, both vent and some solid, matted ribs. Further research negates a Polychoke as a factory option. Cutts were and the adapter was an enlarged, forged place at the end of the barrel. I'd consider $300 a fair price for a good, solid, M12, but not a rebuild, reblued, poly equipped one. My Skeet gun languished in a friend's cabinet at $400 until I gave him $325 and it is original blue, original rib, fancy wood, but the added on Cutts. How I wish it was still a WS1 as originally made.
 
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