Customized Winchester Model 12

L

lamarw

New member
I just scored this one on GunBroker tonight. I am sure it will make a purist shake his head, but it is what it is.

It is a Winchester Model 12 which has been customized with total nickel plating and an 18 & 1/2 " barrel. The seller is within a short drive.

I have been wanting a Winchester Model 12 but not exactly in this configuration. :)

Here is a picture:
 

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A fool and his money shall soon part. I hope to be parting with six hundred in the next few days. The auction was for five and a buy it now for six.

I was "a drooling". This is an acquired habit from my hound dog. :o

Another Pic:
 

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Is it a police shotgun? I know a lot of departments had weapons nickle plated to make maintenance easier.
 
If it was a police shotgun it would not have that stock with the grain running all over the place. They want straight grain, something that will hold up to beating in doors. Also look at the finish well done and you can see your self in it. A police gun would look like it was dragged behind a cruser for 10-20 miles on a rainy day down a gravel road.

A very nice find indeed!!!!:D
 
Thank you for the comments. Additional pics:
 

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Very nice looking. A purist might not like it, but it's your gun and if you like it that's all you need to care about.
 
I think that some of the purist's want to keep guns as is because they can not afford a complete restoration. Ever check out Turnbull's web site and the prices of work also the price of restored guns $$$$$$$.

I've seen a Model 12 restored, no engraving just relly nicewood and rebluing, chokes added, the guy was asking $2400, a good buy I don't know my pockets are not that deep.

All in all this is a very nice Mode 12, a great addition to anyone's safe.
 
I just picked the gun up from the seller. It was a very plesant transation. The gun was professionally done in the mid-60s my a Mr. Harry Dell, a gunsmith in Birmingham, AL. As the story goes, Mr. Dell also worked on a pistol for John Wayne and a rifle for Charleton Heston. Mr. Dell passed away a few years ago according to th seller.

Has anyone heard of Mr Dell?

The pictures do not do the gun justice. According to the serial number, the gun was manufactured in 1916.
 

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I would never do that to a model 12 that I own... But, if I saw one that someone else did like that, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it... No guilt factor in that case...
 
Oh, I do wonder if the gun is all original. The furniture is original. The serial number indicates it is 1916. Although it is a short barrel the barrel has all the correct markings to include the stamp on the barrell "Model 1912" which is the way the model 12 were stamped prior to 1918.

Every piece is chrome/nickled with the exception of the front bead and the furniture. It almost looks like the gun has never been fired. A swab through the barrel revealed only a light dust residue as though the gun has not been fired in years. The head of the bolt is also immaculate. The gun action is very tight.
 
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