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February 21, 2018, 11:56 AM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: February 20, 2018
Posts: 2
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Old Model 12 - help on some information
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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February 21, 2018, 12:13 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 8, 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 16,189
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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.
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February 21, 2018, 12:32 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 20, 2017
Posts: 316
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Very cool great gun and I’m loving that case.
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February 21, 2018, 01:54 PM | #4 | |
Staff
Join Date: March 11, 2006
Location: Upper US
Posts: 28,839
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Quote:
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.
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February 21, 2018, 02:13 PM | #5 |
Junior Member
Join Date: February 20, 2018
Posts: 2
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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.
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February 21, 2018, 06:26 PM | #6 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 17, 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 6,896
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Quote:
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. . Last edited by mehavey; February 22, 2018 at 07:26 AM. |
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February 22, 2018, 01:09 AM | #7 |
Junior member
Join Date: October 20, 2012
Posts: 5,854
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The M12 Winny was one of the top combat shotguns of WW2. They are great guns!
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