A little help with a Model 12...

[forindooruseonly]

So what do I have here?

It's a Winchester Model 12 that dates to 1974, full choke, 30 inch barrel with what appears to be a factory vent rib as the proofs are offset, and a fancy process done to the finish of bolt that I forget the name off, and fancy Monte Carlo wood with a factory recoil pad.

I'm away from where my reference books are, but is this a trap gun?

What's a reasonable value for one in excellent condition? I realize the post-64 Winchesters are not nearly as prized, but this is still a pretty nice shotgun.

 

[PapaG]

Yes, it is probably a trap gun. Quite a few made up after '64. Should have a Y in the serial number.

 

[Jim Watson]

Monte Carlo stock and vent rib sure look like a trap gun.
Yours has prettier wood than mine did.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

Yup, looks like a trap gun. Very popular guns back in the day. We have a 82 year old at our club that shoots a mod12 that is older than he is.

Hard to tell from the pic, you referring to a jeweled bolt?

 

[forindooruseonly]

Ok, thank you all for the help, I wasn't sure and wanted some confirmation.

Hard to tell from the pic, you referring to a jeweled bolt?

Yes, thank you! That's been killing me all night. Just couldn't think of the term.

 

[303tom]

Depends on the chamber, 2.75 is a "TRAP GUN"...........3in. is a "DUCK GUN"..............

 

[Bluerock Brimley]

So what do I have here?

It's a Winchester Model 12 that dates to 1974, full choke, 30 inch barrel with what appears to be a factory vent rib as the proofs are offset, and a fancy process done to the finish of bolt that I forget the name off, and fancy Monte Carlo wood with a factory recoil pad.

I'm away from where my reference books are, but is this a trap gun?

What's a reasonable value for one in excellent condition? I realize the post-64 Winchesters are not nearly as prized, but this is still a pretty nice shotgun.

....yes, it's a Y series Trap gun....looks like it's in good condition. Prices seem to vary in roller coaster fashion on Model 12's----the Y's used some cast parts that that pre-64's didn't and didn't have as fine a fit and finish. Look forward of the loading port on the magazine tube and see if there's an engraved pigeon---if so, it will be slightly more valuable (the pre-64 pigeons are bringing stupid-$). Model 12's (pre or post) only bring big money if they're pristine, i.e. NOTHING has been done to them. The thing that alot of people don't understand is that they can take a Model 12 that's worth say, $800---spend $1500 on it by re-stocking it with fancy wood and having it ribbed and/or reblued and wind up with a gun that's now worth $600. Around here (the Kansas City market) a really pristine Y-12 would probably bring $800 or so, but the prices vary so much, that you really need to go to a LGS and/or gunshow and see what they're brining. Few people want them as actual shooters anymore other than a few old timers who shoot them for nostalgic reason (and that's a pretty narrow market).
JMO-YMMV