Winchester Model 12. Possible Trench Gun??

[455SD]

Can anyone tell me what I have here? I have owned this shotgun for years and always thought it was just long barreled military shotgun. I was told recently that due to the sling swivel and magazine tube it looks to be an arsenal rebarreled trench gun. Any help greatly appreciated.

Information

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[Tom Doniphon]

You probably have one of the Model 12 shotguns that were converted from trench configuration to a sporting gun by Kleins Sporting goods in the 1950s. They used non-Winchester long barrels for the conversions.

[455SD]

Is there anyway to tell for sure this is a Kleins gun? I was told the P stamping on top of the barrel was correct for a military replacement barrel made by Marlin.

[scosgt]

You probably have one of the Model 12 shotguns that were converted from trench configuration to a sporting gun by Kleins Sporting goods in the 1950s. They used non-Winchester long barrels for the conversions.

EXACTLY what he said.

No one wanted the old military guns back in the 1950's and Kleins in Chicago converted tons of them into sporting guns. They might have had a few old military proofed long barrels around, who knows? But it is for sure a Kleins gun, very typical condition wise.

You are not the first person who was ever fooled by one of these.

---------- Post added at 04:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:54 PM ----------

By the way the military proof on the barrel would be a flaming bomb.

[breakeyp]

The Kien attributed Model 12s I have examined had Model 25 barrels installed. Nice gun anyway you look at it.

[scosgt]

If you could obtain a proper barrel and bayonet attachment you could actually make that back into a trenchgun. It is a Kleins gun. You can make book on it.

[455SD]

What is this gun worth? I see no standard value for a Klein's gun.

[rayg]

Winchester made Model 12 short barrel trench guns, short barrel riot guns and long barrel shot guns used for training bomber crews in gunnery practice. It was US inspected that's why there is a proof "P" stamp on it's barrel and the serial number matches the receiver. If it has a Winchester barrel it was made that way and US inspected. Probably for gunnery practice or used for military recreation purposes. My opinion unless I'm missing something as I'm no expert on these shot guns and I can't tell if this isn't a Winchester barrel.

455SD are there military proof stamps on the left side of the butt stock, Ray

[scosgt]

The P on the barrel is not correct for factory original. It would be a flaming bomb.

[rayg]

Yep, your right, I just looked at my M12 trench gun and it has a flaming bomb on the barrel, Ray