Winchester Model 12 "US and Bomb" marked-1947

[RMF]

I’m brand new to the forum and this is my first post; I'm here to learn form you guys . I just picked up an interesting Model 12 that I wanted to show the forum. I came upon this one in a local sale today and the overall condition of the gun was so nice that I couldn't pass it up even with the unfortunate addition of the Cyclone choke added to it at some point in its life.

This Model 12 serial number dates it to 1947. It is 'US and lit bomb' marked on the right side of the receiver. The top of the barrel and receiver has Winchester proofs but no "lit bomb" on the barrel. The stock has no cartouches that I can find. Red stock pad looks original and is of Winchester manufacture. Serial numbers match receiver and front end.

Condition of the overall gun is beautiful and vintage; having the right shade of blue and hue for a commercial gun, as well as texture and feel to the wood. All lines and screw heads are sharp.

I have read on the forum about Model 12's being used for Aerial Gunnery training and perhaps that is what this gun was originally intended to be. Looking at it, it appears that it probably sat in an officer’s club lounge for most of its life. As mentioned previously it has a Cyclone choke manufactured by the Hartford Gun Choke Company installed on it. Not sure if it will come off or even what exists under the choke. The barrel length from front of chamber is to the front of the compensator is 28.5 inches.

The history behind the gun (as told to me) is that it belonged to the former owners Grandfather who acquired it from the military and supposedly had the aftermarket choke installed. I don’ t believe that this is a Klein's Hardware gun as the original Winchester barrel appears to be still there (WP proof).

I realize that the choke on this gun greatly devalues its collectability and knowing that ahead of time, I picked this up for a very good price; so even if the US military heritage adds ‘zero’ value, I still have a beautiful 47' Model 12 from the golden era of Winchester.

If you have any knowledge about this gun history please let me know.

I posted 1024x768 res photos so that they would be clear.. if the forum needs me to resize them smaller I can do that.
Thanks.

Information

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[Tom Doniphon]

Hello RMF. The serial number of your shotgun is in the same range as the last few thousand Model 12 trench guns manufactured for the Military during WWII. They were made in late 1943 or early 1944. So your shotgun was likely made in that time frame, not in 1947. All of these trench guns had a factory parkerized finish.

From your photos, it appears that your shotgun has been refinished. The serial numbers do not look crisp. And on an original blue finish there would be burnishing around the Winchester proof marks found on top of the barrel and receiver. The fact that there is no Military Ordnance bomb mark on top of the barrel means it was either buffed off when the gun was refnished, or the barrel could be a replacement. The forearm also looks like a later type.

Do you know the date of the barrel? It should be marked on the underside near the receiver.

FWIW, that's the highest US marked serial numbered Model 12 I can recall seeing.

[RMF]

Do you know the date of the barrel? It should be marked on the underside near the receiver.

Thanks Tom! On the underside of the barrel it is marked "48". Perhaps this was a new barrel put on in some part of its history?? Let me know if any additional pics of the gun could be helpful in determing its orgins/history.

Beyond the somewhat shallow serial numbers and WP proof I will say the refinish was done very well, edges seems sharp and the grain/texture of the metal is very consistent. It has a very vintage hue to the color- nearly identical to my pre-war Model 61 bluing.

[RMF]

I took a few additional pics that show the: the '48" barrel mark, with a witness mark along the barrel, as well as a another witness mark on the other side of the barrel along with another 'triangle' mark.

Pic 1- "48" mark along with a witness strike, and what looks like an "L"
Pic 2 - shows a witness strike, along with a triangle.
Pic 3 - shows a stock inlay where perhaps a sling swivel mount once resided.

Thanks

[Tom Doniphon]

The stock was cut for a sling swivel. That's an indication that it may have been a trench gun buttstock. The Military guns have inspector's and Ordnance marks on the left side of the buttstock. If there was one, it's probably been sanded away.

I agree. Whoever did the refinish did a nice job.

[RMF]

Thanks Tom... very helpful information. So looking at data/evidence it sounds like this is what might have happened:

• Originally a M12 Trench gun- Serial number dates it to the last few 1000's trenches made.
• After the war it was refinsihed in a commercial blue, stock swivel inlet filled, and perhaps had a '48' barrel installed.
• At sometime (perhaps at time of refinsh) had the choke added

I have just one last question- looking at the refinsh work I'm suspecting that Winchester might have done the work. If that was the case would Winchester mark a new long barrel with the WP stamp.. or would they mark it with a "P"?

Thanks!

[scosgt]

Here is what I think. This may have been a leftover receiver that Winchester sold after the war as a commercial gun. The serial would be the highest trench ever reported and I dont think for thst reason the. gun was ever released or we would have seen other similar numbers. Or it may have been a surplus trench that someone reworked. But the Winchester marked barrel mskes it interesting.