[Scorch]

Winchester Model 12s were called the "Perfect Repeater" by Winchester, an excellent example of "ad hype" considering they did not have much competition. The action is smooth and sturdy but not strong, and it developes headspace issues and peens out if you shoot too many heavy loads. But it was a good shotgun, and was in production almost 60 years, longer than several Remington designs. It was expensive to produce and cost a lot even back then, but it was better and stronger than its competition, so people love them.

The Winchester Model 1897 was called the best fighting shotgun ever made after WW1. Considering there had not been very many fighting shotguns up to that point, it also falls under the "ad hype" category. Good shotguns, not great, but sturdy and durable. You have never known pain until you rack a Model 1897 and you get your thumb knuckle busted or your fingers pinched. After that, you get very careful. It still escapes me why people love them, but they do.