Brought home my great grandpa's shot gun (pics)

[Flashpoint]

I was up at my dad's this weekend and he was getting his shotguns out so we could go shoot some skeet and he pulled out my great grandpa's Winchester model 12-20 and told me to take it home I hadn't seen this gun since I was about 10 years old. Dad let me use it the first time he took me dove hunting. The next season he had bought me a Stevens 20 gauge to use (that I still have) and hadn't seen the Winchester until today. I think it's neat to have grandpa's old gun, I never really knew him, he died when I was 5 years old and before that he had had a stroke that caused his speach to be bad so I don't remember him talking to me. This old gun is the only thing that I have to connect with him, so it's real cool that I was able to take it home. Does anybody have any knowledge about the history of this model of shot gun? I did some seaching and it seem to be somewhat of a collectors piece. Also is there a way I can tell the manufacturing date?

Ok on with the pics...

 

[Red Label]

You have a fine old gun there. I love my M12s and you won't find a better shooter. I also see from the pictures that it has the 2 3/4 chamber. Post the serial # except for the last three digits and we can find the year of manufacture. I personally don't have a 20 ga and have been looking for one for awhile. Enjoy this fine gun and shoot it in remembrance of your grandpa.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Everyone should inherit such a shotgun. Model 12s are some of the finest pumps ever made.

A couple things....

The Dialachoke on the muzzle has various marking indicating the degree of choke at each setting. Chances are they're wrong. Best to pattern with your load of choice and see what happens.

Few of these had the rib from the factory. Chances are it was mounted when the choke device was.

Since it's a 2 3/4" chambered gun, modern ammo will work fine.

And if you take good care of it, YOUR great grand child will thank you for it....

 

[Calhoun]

Flashpoint,
Great shotgun. I too have a shotgun to remember my grandfather by. He died a few months before I was born and my grandmother always said that when I was old enough I could have his shotgun. When she died I was 10 and my parents brought it home and kept it for me. It's an old bolt action .410 Mossberg. It gave me a great love of Mossbergs, but more importantly, it gave me a link to a great men who passed before his time.

ENJOY THAT WEAPON! There is nothing that can ever replace it.

Peace out,
Calhoun

 

[Flashpoint]

These are the numbers I found on the under side of the gun in front of the trigger guard. 781XXX. From the research that I was able to do sifting through threads on a shotgun forum that I found, I think it was manufactured in 1938.

I have not had much experience with shotguns. The only ones I have shot have been the M12, a westpoint model 167 stevens arms (the shot gun that I was given to use instead of the M12), and dad's Ithaca semi-auto 12 gauge that he brought back from Germany when he was station there in the seventies. I was suprised when I compared the trigger on the M12 to westpoint. It's like comparing the trigger on a 1911 to one on a Glock (the M12 being the 1911). I can't recall the trigger on the Ithaca but I do know it is fun to shot.

Few of these had the rib from the factory.

Why is that? What's the advantage of the rib?

 

[Dave McCracken]

The rib serves two purposes. First, it diverts heat from the top of the barrel and reduces visual distortion from mirage.

Second, as it is in peripheral vision as we shoot,it serves to aid pointing a little over just using the barrel.

Most folks regard a rib as essential on a clays gun, and oft good on field guns for things like dove shoots and other high volume shooting. They add a couple oz to the weight, so there is a downside.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Wonderful gun, Flashpoint - - -

Congratulations. You sound justly proud. I know I would be. I have my Grandfather's Rem 11-48 in 16 ga, and I wouldn't take for it.

Dave McCracken - - I do little with shotguns other than dove hunting and some cop stuff, so I'm afraid of giving advice on this particular topic. Since you're the Go-To Guy on scatterguns - - -

I read something a while back cautioning about use of steel shot in older barrels. HOW old a barrel? I'd bet Flashpoint's M12 would be "of an age," but I'm wondering about my 1972-vintage 1100.

Am I correct in recalling that use of steel shot is NOT recommended in older barrels? I've bought some steel shot for waterfowling a couple of years, but I actually haven't done such hunting since non-lead shot has been required.

Best,
Johnny

 

[Dave McCracken]

I would be loath, Johnny, to use steel in any barrel made prior to the 70s, and still loath to use it in newer, tightly choked barrels since then.

And since I'm a cautious type, I just called Remington and asked them. They said that any nontox shot can be used in 1100 barrels choked no tighter than Modified, and up to 2 shot in Full chokes. That includes Hevi Shot. Hevishot 2s are great goose medicine.

Where I using something like that wonderful Model 12 in 20 gauge on ducks, I'd probably bite the bullet and use bismuth. More likely, I'd save that for the uplands and break out a modern 12 gauge for using nontox.

 

[Highpower1]

that is awesome that you now can share something with your grandpa. very cool indeed

 

[Johnny Guest]

All righty, then - - -

Thanks very much for the information, Dave. And also for the prompt response.

In ages past, I used to hunt ducks with my 1100 and a trap special barrel. Once, I forgot and got to the huntin' place with my improved cylinder barrel in place. We were hunting pretty close to the deeks, and I had pretty good luck with the IC - - Probably because I'm such a turrible wing shot, and the more open pattern gave me enough spread to have a chance with the edges.

Best,
Johnny

 

[Dave McCracken]

I've had days where the birds came in over the dekes at 20 yards, and a skeet choke would work.

A suggestion, some patterning is in order, you may be overchoked for the shots opps you're getting, and you may also be a better shot than you think.

 

[Marshall]

Back in the mid 70's we shot Improved Cylinder 12 & 20ga 2 3/4" 1100's and the like over decoys and often surprised ourselves at the distances we could fold them at too. Granted, it was lead shot but that was also 30 year old shell technology. Folks can talk patterning, choke tubes and what shells to use all they want, and they're important but, nothing beats practicing with your shotgun and becoming a great shot.

If all a person can afford to do is to buy clays, cheap shells and gasoline for truck or car to practice, doing so will help more than anything else! And, you'll out-shoot your buddy that spends a ton and has the best of everything but doesn't shoot often enough, guaranteed.

Analogy: Beware of the 16yr old that wears beat up golf shoes, has dirty old clubs, carries his cheap lightweight cloth golf bag and is wearing cut-off's. Odds are, he will humble you and take your money both.

Great Model 12 Winchester! I am sure you are proud!

 

[foghornl]

Beautiful shotgun ! ! !

It is always good to have a "family rememberance" weapon, of whatever type. I have "Pops" (grandfather on Dad's side) .22Shorts only revolver, while one brother has Pops old Savage/Stevens 94B 16Ga, other brother has Pops (Winchester, maybe) pump-action rifle in .22Long.

All are taken out and fired every now and then, just to keep make sure they are in working order, and as a reminder of where and how we came to own them.

So, shoot it some, and think of the stories that fine old gun could tell of days in the fields and waterfowl blinds, lovingly owned & operated by 'Gramps'. . .