Mis-matched Model 12

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MacAR

MacAR

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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 would leave it at 26 and add the screw in chokes. No real collectibility any way you treat it. Nice gun to shoot. Unless you cut the barrel too short.
 
Bill M. said:
I would leave it at 26 and add the screw in chokes.
Click to expand...

I would, but it seems that whatever was on the muzzle put it out of "round", so I don't know if I can. I'm leaning really hard toward 22"; sort of a "poor man's" Upland Special.

Armored farmer said:
Cut 'er down and make a takedown travel gun.
Cerakote the steel and refinish the wood..
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Oooh... I like that! Maybe a sort of "ranch riot" style, cerakote black or blued and refinish the wood, tack on some sling swivels, et viola! Great idea, thanks!

Mac
 
It is YOURS, do what you want.

We cut son's 870 barrel down to 23" ( that was where the vent rib brace was. Added screw in chokes.

That is a sweet shooting shotty. Fast, light, and handy.
 
As promised, a photo:

0111222038.jpg

I stuck ol 97 in there, don't have a picture of it since I had it cut down. The photo is deceiving, the 12 is actually about 2" longer. Boy do they handle well! I used to really like long barreled shotguns, but these short jobs are really growing on me. For now, I'll chop it to 22" and have it threaded. Later on, I think I'll have it cerakoted either blue or parkerized, and refinish the wood with linseed oil. I'm thinking seriously about a heat shield, too. Or maybe a light for nocturnal hen house checks. Of course, a heat shield with a bayonet aaannndd a light would make for an interesting evening of armadillo eradication! We'll see, I suppose.

Seedy Character said:
That is a sweet shooting shotty. Fast, light, and handy.
Click to expand...

The '97 cut to 24" makes an excellent woods walking shotgun. I've had it out a couple times and really enjoy carrying it.

Armored farmer said:
All I ask in return is pictures of the finished product.
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You got it brother. It'll be a little while before I get it done, I'm sure. But I'll make a new thread once its done.

Mac
 
MacAR said:
As promised, a photo:

View attachment 1051350

I stuck ol 97 in there, don't have a picture of it since I had it cut down. The photo is deceiving, the 12 is actually about 2" longer. Boy do they handle well! I used to really like long barreled shotguns, but these short jobs are really growing on me. For now, I'll chop it to 22" and have it threaded. Later on, I think I'll have it cerakoted either blue or parkerized, and refinish the wood with linseed oil. I'm thinking seriously about a heat shield, too. Or maybe a light for nocturnal hen house checks. Of course, a heat shield with a bayonet aaannndd a light would make for an interesting evening of armadillo eradication! We'll see, I suppose.



The '97 cut to 24" makes an excellent woods walking shotgun. I've had it out a couple times and really enjoy carrying it.



You got it brother. It'll be a little while before I get it done, I'm sure. But I'll make a new thread once its done.

Mac
Click to expand...

Looks like its in pretty good shape. The blueing is worn but I dont see any deep pitting. Heat shield and manganese parkerizing would make it look like a very classy WW2 trench trench gun. Wood doesnt look bad either. You could just go a straight restoration a have it hot blued or even give rust blueing a shot. Lots of options to bring that classic back. Paint would look cheap and tacky on the model 12. Its a little too good for that. Personally I would probably go the Grey Parked WW2 trench gun look. Until then I would probably prep the metal and put a bunch of coats of Oxphoblue cream/gel on it to give it some protection.

Paint is kind of a last resort for me on firearms. Its good for hiding things like deep pitting (once you fill the holes) but it would be a shame to slap slop on that pretty steel. I wont paint a wood stock either though.... like to see the pretty grain.
 
Parkerize it. Cut to desired length and thread for tubes. Shoot and enjoy.

This gun had no collectability to start with when you got it.

Since the two halves are from significantly different decades, you might (might) want to have it checked for headspace. Probably NOT a big deal, but Ithacas before a certain serial number range were not compatible with newer barrels and often had issues related to unacceptable headspacing when swapped that way. Call it an abundance of caution.
 
Personally I wouldn't parkerize or heat shield it. That has been done..There are lots of options out there now. All kinds of camo dips and crazy modern stuff....I wouldn't be afraid to have it professionally reblued if it is proven to function properly. I also wouldn't be afraid to strip it and brown the steel although I'm not sure that it would take on the luster that a raw 'in the white' barrel does.
Do utilize the model 12s awesome takedown ability. With a proper case, it would be a great traveling companion.
 
I have seen a couple of mismatched M12s, like this.

The older model had 2 9/16" chamber.
Someone, most likely, fired newer, 2 3/4" shells in it. Bulged barrel

Newer barrel has 2 3/4" chamber.

These barrels had to be fitted to them receivers.
 
After some more thought, I'm leaning heavily to re-bluing it at home. I've had good luck with Oxphoblue from Brownells, did a complete muzzleloader kit with it and it turned out really nice. I suppose I could do the same to this gun, along with a light sanding and re-oiling of the wood. The trench gun really has been "done to death" and this gun will be used more for hunting small game than HD honestly. I'm looking at it as a companion to the 1897, so making them somewhat similar would most likely be the correct way to go.

On a slightly different note: what options are there for sling swivels on the M12 and 97? I've done some searching but all I find is the rear swivel; nothing for the front. I suppose I could have the end cap drilled and tapped for an Uncle Mike's-style swivel, and that might be my best bet. But I thought I might ask if there were other options first.

Thanks again,

Mac
 
Study how the military did theirs and duplicate.

i have a stevens 520 where i did the same thing you have-a receiver with a shortened mismatched front end. The military used a version of this gun as a riot gun and equipped it with a 1907 sling. The rear sling attachment used one from a springfield 1903-A3. The front was a swivel where the stud utilized a drill and tap hole added to the mag tube cap.
 
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