MacAR
Member
So yesterday, I swapped (somewhat poorly) for an old Model 12 Winchester 12 gauge. The barrel has been shortened to 26 inches, almost looks like a Polychoke or something was removed from it. Finish is completely gone from the receiver and part of the barrel at the breech. Perhaps the worst part, the receiver and barrel numbers don't match. The receiver is from 1916, and the barrel from 1948! On the plus side, the stock and forend are in great shape and the original Winchester buttplate is intact.
I traded for the gun so that I could have it cut back to 22 or 24 inches and threaded for choke tubes, then possibly refinish it. I have an 1897 that I had threaded also, simply to make it more useful. The barrel was pitted pretty badly from the muzzle back about 6", as was the bore, so I could justify cutting it. This gun isn't in the best cosmetic shape, but operates and shoots very well. Given the condition of the gun and it's mis-matched numbers, would this be wise? I'd like to use it in the dove fields this fall, and do some squirrel hunting with it too, but I don't want to ruin the collectability of the gun. Your opinions are welcome, and I will add some photos tonight when I get home.
Mac
I traded for the gun so that I could have it cut back to 22 or 24 inches and threaded for choke tubes, then possibly refinish it. I have an 1897 that I had threaded also, simply to make it more useful. The barrel was pitted pretty badly from the muzzle back about 6", as was the bore, so I could justify cutting it. This gun isn't in the best cosmetic shape, but operates and shoots very well. Given the condition of the gun and it's mis-matched numbers, would this be wise? I'd like to use it in the dove fields this fall, and do some squirrel hunting with it too, but I don't want to ruin the collectability of the gun. Your opinions are welcome, and I will add some photos tonight when I get home.
Mac