Old Model 12 - help on some information

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DogTag34

Inactive
My grandfather passed on 3 of his 15 rifles to me. A 1952 Remington 760, A savage 99, and this Model 12. The note says he got it when he was 16 years old and looking up the serial number 121xxx it dates to 1916 which would be correct. Its a 20 guage in good shape. I have cleaned it all up and after using the other 2 rifles above I was ready to put this to use - here lies the problem or where i need more information. It is 2 3/4. I'm not a shotgun expert but thought i read somewhere the older shotguns were 2.5........the serial numbers on the barrel and receiver match. photos attached......I do know that his father had a hardware store in Montana from 1895-1930's..and he sold savages and winchesters and knew all the reps - doubt that has any meaning but just trying to learn about this family shotgun. Thanks...


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It's 2 3/4 don't worry about it. Some of the earliest model 12's were short chambered, thinking 2 5/8 but if it's marked 2 3/4 it's good to go.
 
It's 2 3/4 don't worry about it. Some of the earliest model 12's were short chambered, thinking 2 5/8 but if it's marked 2 3/4 it's good to go.
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Small point of order, "short chambered" and "chambered for shorter shells" are not exactly the same thing.

Before WWII, shot shells came in a variety of lengths, especially 12ga. There are 2.5", 2 9/16th, 2 5/8th, and 2 3/4" 12 gauge shells.

2 3/4" became the standard, for both 12 and 20ga, before the advent of the 3" shells.

You have a nice old 20ga, chambered for the 2 3/4" shells. DO NOT put 3" shells in it. If you have any 3" 20ga shells, do yourself a favor and make certain they don't get anywhere NEAR that model 12!!!!

Many old (2 3/4") guns will chamber and fire 3" shells. The problem is that the barrel is not cut to allow room for the longer shell's crimp to unfold into. This means that the barrel is constricted by the open crimp of the case, which creates a high pressure situation that the gun was never made to endure. Some guns have failed (damaged actions /burst barrels, etc.) because of that. Some guns don't seem to care, until they fail...

Also, if you care about the gun, NEVER shoot steel shot through it.
 
great info.........I doubt it will be used alot - I will definately seek out some lower powered lead shot for it....grab my son and let him try out his great grandfathers gun when he was 16.....coincidently my son is 16 so I wanted to take it out and make a memory........I was confused with what I read ......Thank you.
 
I will definitely seek out some lower powered lead shot for it
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The Model-12 is as strong as they come.
Both I and my father have continually shot my grandfather's
1928 Model-12 with standard modern shells for almost 90
years now. Heavy skeet use.

Go grab any standard/lead 2¾ shells (2¾ is standard) and have fun for another 102 years.
;):)

.
 
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