Winchester Model 12 Value?

dball01 · February 19, 2010, 10:38 AM

A friend of mine has a Model 12 field grade (I assume, no rib) in 16 ga., 28 or 30 inch bbl, full choke. It's in very nice condition--no rust or pitting and no dents in the wood, although the wood is rather plain. He would like to sell it, but isn't a gun person so doesn't know what it might be worth. Any suggestions? Thanks.

zippy13 · February 19, 2010, 10:51 AM

The last time I was seriously looking for a Model 12, there seemed to be a glut of 16s looking for new homes.

Have you checked an auction site?

30-30remchester · February 19, 2010, 10:52 AM

Price depends on condition, originality, guage, and year of production. I have visited the gun auction sights lately looking at model 12's and they seem to be selling in the $300-$400 range. 16 guage guns are not as desireable as 12's and 20's.

oneounceload · February 19, 2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

16 guage guns are not as desireable as 12's and 20's.

That can very from locale to locale.

OP - you might try the folks at the 16 gauge society:

http://www.16ga.com/

They might be able, with the help of some pics, give you a real good estimate

BigJimP · February 19, 2010, 12:44 PM

With a fixed full choke / and in 16ga ... he would be lucky to get
$150 - $200 in my area ... Like others said / there are just too many of them around to be worth much...

dropthehammer · February 19, 2010, 04:08 PM

Not doubting you Jim, but I would mortgage the farm to buy Model 12 16's for that kinda money.

GunsAreGood · February 19, 2010, 04:17 PM

If he is wondering year of production here is the link.oldguns.net/sn_php/winmods.htm

BigJimP · February 19, 2010, 05:07 PM

No problem - it probably varies a lot by regions guys ....

I'm a used gun shop junkie .......and I try and get to my local shops 5 or 6 times a month just to see what's coming and going ......and just last month, a young fella came into a local shop with probably 2 dozen shotguns from his dad's estate ( nothing really special ) but there were at least 3 model 12's ...and most of them were not in great shape ....but I heard the owner tell the kid, he didn't really want the model 12's ...he had so many ....(and I think they were 20ga and 16ga ) ..

At least around here ....these older fixed choke guns / especially if they're choked Full ...just aren't very versatile for general shotgunning ....and they don't sell well. In my buddy's shop / most of us old guys have all the pump guns we want ... maybe more than we want .... and the guys under 30 yrs old for the most part ...want synthetic stocks, short barrels, etc ... / and buying a used gun and putting a new barrel on it will often cost more than the big box stores are selling the Mossberg and Rem 870's for new in all the tactical configurations ....

Its not just the older model 12's that he has trouble selling - its 870's, Browning BPS, etc if they've been used for hunting, scratched up a little and have fixed chokes ( unless it's Modified, or Imp Cyclinder ) ...they're just hard to sell. Now the exception is a gun that comes in really clean / that a collector might want ....is a little different. If its been a safe queen / he will often buy it / or if it's a .410 or a 28ga that will make a difference as well.

But in my area / the days of bird hunting and waterfowling are pretty much over / unless you want to travel at least 4 hours or more one way .....so there are a lof of older "field" shotguns on the market with Fixed Full chokes and there just doesn't seem to be any buyers for them ....

dropthehammer · February 19, 2010, 07:41 PM

Well put Jim, I have to agree. Steel shot regulations put alot of the full choke, old timers back in the closet. I still can't help myself though. I still drool and shake a little when I see an old quality built shotgun. The smaller gauges sometimes cause stuttering. The internet has all but wiped out region specific pricing and the deals found at gun shows.

BigJimP · February 19, 2010, 08:04 PM

Thanks - but I see your point as well ....

Not to pick on the model 12 / it was a fine gun for its day ....

Personally, I like a Browning BPS pump gun the Hunter model - and I can buy them brand new in 12/20ga for about $500 / and in 28ga or .410 for around $ 550 ...and they all come with screw in chokes .......

I usually give a BPS pump to each of the grandkids as they turn 16 on their birthday if they have any interest in shooting. ( I still have BPS's in 12 and 20ga I bought for myself in the 70's) and they are still very serviceable guns. I know Zippy, OneOunce and others feel the same way you do about the model 12's ....

SmokeyVol · February 19, 2010, 08:41 PM

The Model 12 is still a fine gun, not just for its day. I would put the Model 12 up against any recent pump model with a stamped receiver.

zippy13 · February 19, 2010, 09:29 PM

BigJim, should you run across one of those undesirable fully choked Model 12s in Pigeon Grade for $150 - 200, please shoot a flare my way, and I'll prepare a columbary.

BigJimP · February 21, 2010, 12:20 PM

Now, now ....a pigeon grade is a very different thing my friend ... I might have to arm-wrestle you for that one ....

February 19, 2010, 10:38 AM	#1
dball01 Member Join Date: March 14, 2008 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 28	Winchester Model 12 Value? A friend of mine has a Model 12 field grade (I assume, no rib) in 16 ga., 28 or 30 inch bbl, full choke. It's in very nice condition--no rust or pitting and no dents in the wood, although the wood is rather plain. He would like to sell it, but isn't a gun person so doesn't know what it might be worth. Any suggestions? Thanks.

February 19, 2010, 04:17 PM	#7
GunsAreGood Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2010 Posts: 300	If he is wondering year of production here is the link.oldguns.net/sn_php/winmods.htm __________________ From my cold dead hands If guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns

February 19, 2010, 10:51 AM	#2
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	The last time I was seriously looking for a Model 12, there seemed to be a glut of 16s looking for new homes. Have you checked an auction site?

February 19, 2010, 10:52 AM	#3
30-30remchester Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2009 Location: mountains of colorado Posts: 977	Price depends on condition, originality, guage, and year of production. I have visited the gun auction sights lately looking at model 12's and they seem to be selling in the $300-$400 range. 16 guage guns are not as desireable as 12's and 20's.

February 19, 2010, 12:44 PM	#5
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	With a fixed full choke / and in 16ga ... he would be lucky to get $150 - $200 in my area ... Like others said / there are just too many of them around to be worth much...

February 19, 2010, 04:08 PM	#6
dropthehammer Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Location: Suburb of Cleveland Ohio Posts: 108	Not doubting you Jim, but I would mortgage the farm to buy Model 12 16's for that kinda money.

February 19, 2010, 05:07 PM	#8
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	No problem - it probably varies a lot by regions guys .... I'm a used gun shop junkie .......and I try and get to my local shops 5 or 6 times a month just to see what's coming and going ......and just last month, a young fella came into a local shop with probably 2 dozen shotguns from his dad's estate ( nothing really special ) but there were at least 3 model 12's ...and most of them were not in great shape ....but I heard the owner tell the kid, he didn't really want the model 12's ...he had so many ....(and I think they were 20ga and 16ga ) .. At least around here ....these older fixed choke guns / especially if they're choked Full ...just aren't very versatile for general shotgunning ....and they don't sell well. In my buddy's shop / most of us old guys have all the pump guns we want ... maybe more than we want .... and the guys under 30 yrs old for the most part ...want synthetic stocks, short barrels, etc ... / and buying a used gun and putting a new barrel on it will often cost more than the big box stores are selling the Mossberg and Rem 870's for new in all the tactical configurations .... Its not just the older model 12's that he has trouble selling - its 870's, Browning BPS, etc if they've been used for hunting, scratched up a little and have fixed chokes ( unless it's Modified, or Imp Cyclinder ) ...they're just hard to sell. Now the exception is a gun that comes in really clean / that a collector might want ....is a little different. If its been a safe queen / he will often buy it / or if it's a .410 or a 28ga that will make a difference as well. But in my area / the days of bird hunting and waterfowling are pretty much over / unless you want to travel at least 4 hours or more one way .....so there are a lof of older "field" shotguns on the market with Fixed Full chokes and there just doesn't seem to be any buyers for them ....

February 19, 2010, 07:41 PM	#9
dropthehammer Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Location: Suburb of Cleveland Ohio Posts: 108	Well put Jim, I have to agree. Steel shot regulations put alot of the full choke, old timers back in the closet. I still can't help myself though. I still drool and shake a little when I see an old quality built shotgun. The smaller gauges sometimes cause stuttering. The internet has all but wiped out region specific pricing and the deals found at gun shows.

February 19, 2010, 08:04 PM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Thanks - but I see your point as well .... Not to pick on the model 12 / it was a fine gun for its day .... Personally, I like a Browning BPS pump gun the Hunter model - and I can buy them brand new in 12/20ga for about $500 / and in 28ga or .410 for around $ 550 ...and they all come with screw in chokes ....... I usually give a BPS pump to each of the grandkids as they turn 16 on their birthday if they have any interest in shooting. ( I still have BPS's in 12 and 20ga I bought for myself in the 70's) and they are still very serviceable guns. I know Zippy, OneOunce and others feel the same way you do about the model 12's ....

February 19, 2010, 08:41 PM	#11
SmokeyVol Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 137	The Model 12 is still a fine gun, not just for its day. I would put the Model 12 up against any recent pump model with a stamped receiver.

February 19, 2010, 09:29 PM	#12
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	BigJim, should you run across one of those undesirable fully choked Model 12s in Pigeon Grade for $150 - 200, please shoot a flare my way, and I'll prepare a columbary.

February 21, 2010, 12:20 PM	#13
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Now, now ....a pigeon grade is a very different thing my friend ... I might have to arm-wrestle you for that one ....