Winchester Model 12: Trap or Skeet?

[ejohne]

I bought a Winchester Model 12 manufactured in 1941. Under the magazine tube is "MODEL-12-TRAP." The barrel is 28 inches long, solid ribbed with "Model 12-12 GA." and underneath "WS-1." The slide handle and buttstock's pistol grip are finely checkered. The rubber recoil pad says "Winchester/Trademark/Pat. June 6 1922." Is this a trap or skeet gun or a trap gun with a skeet barrel? A gentleman knowledgable in such matters suggested that it may have been a trap gun that was send back to Winchester for a skeet barrel and that the pistol grip's design and checkering was unusual. What do you think?
http://www.msnusers.com/ejohne/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=73
http://www.msnusers.com/ejohne/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=74
http://www.msnusers.com/ejohne/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=75
http://www.msnusers.com/ejohne/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=76

 

[9mmMike]

I've no idea but that sure is a purdy SG.
Mike

 

[JohnBT]

Probably nothing you don't know, but I like looking this stuff up.

(Before I start looking...if the numbers match, I'm voting special order.)

I've looked at 3 books so far. The Skeet guns came with 26" barrels, and the Trap guns came with 30" full-choked barrels and straight or Monte Carlo stocks with a pad.

The Standard Catalog of Firearms says they both came with "longer than standard" slide handles. No help there.

The mediocre pics in the Shooter's Bible show checkering like yours on both.

I vote for special order.

Blue Book:

"Special order features on field guns have captured much collector interest in recent years. Combinations of these features can add a considerable percentage to the base values listed. Rare special orders on rare variations are very desirable and prices can double and more if the combination is right."

Looks like special orders were not unheard of at all. They made over 2 million Model 12 guns and you have one with an open choke, a normal length barrel(my favorite) and a pad.

"Open choked barrels in shorter lengths are A LOT more desirable..."


John

 

[Jim Watson]

The pistol grip and checkering pattern look M12 to me. The line of the comb of the stock looks way too level and low for the period. I think it is a trap gun with WS 1 barrel and modified or special order stock. It sticks in my head, although I cannot find it now, that there was such a thing as a Trap *Grade* gun available in any configuration.

 

[Dave McCracken]

The quick way....

Winchester chokes at the time ran about 40 POC. This is one shotgun the old dime thing works on. See if a dime will pass through the choke. If it doesn't, it's probably still Full, and perhaps mismarked at the factory.

Or, if this is too technical, I'll PM you with my address. I'm sure that after a little while, say a year,I'll be able to tell you if it's choked tight or open, heh,heh,heh....

 

[rick_reno]

M12

The shape of the foreend looks like one you'd find on a trap/skeet gun. The checkering on the foreend (is it in a diamond shape?) looks like what was used on their skeet/trap guns. It's important to understand that a customer could order whatever options they wanted on the M12 - and Winchester would usually produce it. I'd assume you have a trap model M12 with a WS-1 choked barrel.