Three Foot Johnson Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 I found a ratty M12 on Gunbroker a couple weeks ago described thusly: Winchester model 12 12ga RUST head to toe, seems to function as it should, bulge in barrel about 5 inches from muzzle, bulge and tear in magazine tube and a piece of wire on mag tube end??? It arrived yesterday, and I went to work. The rust was inconsequential, as it'll be a Wild Bunch shotgun, but actually cleaned up quite well. The stock has blue paint speckles all over it, the barrel bulge wasn't bad and I was going to shorten it anyway (ended up at 22 1/2"), I turned out a plug to drive into the mag tube to raise the dents and a little work with a 2 oz hammer straightened things out nicely, the wire on the mag tube was simply due to someone installing the tube 180º off and not being able to turn it into the threads, so they wrapped a piece of coat hanger wire around the mag tube hanger to hold it in. Never did find a tear or split in it... I pulled the trigger group and bolt and found probably the dirtiest gun guts I've ever seen. It looked like dried out Cosmoline under all the gunk, with the same hard Cosmoline looking goop in all the external nooks & crannies. It still needs a front sight (didn't have one), and an "action slide handle retaining spring" (the little leaf spring clamped in the mag tube hanger) but overall, I'm pretty pleased with it. The spring is absolutely unnecessary, and nobody knows what it does anyway, so... The prevailing theory is it keeps the slide in the forward position when the barrel is off and stored in a bag or case. My winning bid? $116.00 Made in 1959. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 Pound puppies make the best pets!! Well done and Merry Christmas, Pard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 Good job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129 Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 Jabez Cowboy says Howdy and Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 Aww... I have a particular fondness for Model 12's, and it's heartwarming to read that this poor, mistreated orphan has found a happy and nurturing home~! Well Done, Mister Johnson! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. James H. Callahan Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Lucky dog, lucky dog. Always wanted a 12, have never found many even for sale, if they are they usually want an arm and a leg. If you want to sell it at a profit let me know! Long ago I bought a ratty old 870 from a pawn shop cheap. Blue was all but gone. Took me 2 hours to clean it (it had grass seeds caked in the top of the receiver.) It had like a 24 inch barrel. I don't know if someone stuck it in the mud and blew the muzzle and cut it or what. I really wanted a 20" vent rib and a glow worm bead. I sent the barrel off to a place that actually soldered on a steel rib, blued it, and mounted the glow worm. Looks kinda funny with a new barrel and near white receiver, but the old gal wound up slicker than snot on a door knob after a good clean and lube, was WELL worn in! Spent more on the barrel than the gun (I forgot to mention choke tubes installed.) Turned out to be an A-1 quail and defense gun. JHC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Creek Jack Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Nice find and nice repair on the old shooter! SCJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil dogooder Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Lucky dog, lucky dog. Always wanted a 12, have never found many even for sale, if they are they usually want an arm and a leg. If you want to sell it at a profit let me know! Long ago I bought a ratty old 870 from a pawn shop cheap. Blue was all but gone. Took me 2 hours to clean it (it had grass seeds caked in the top of the receiver.) It had like a 24 inch barrel. I don't know if someone stuck it in the mud and blew the muzzle and cut it or what. I really wanted a 20" vent rib and a glow worm bead. I sent the barrel off to a place that actually soldered on a steel rib, blued it, and mounted the glow worm. Looks kinda funny with a new barrel and near white receiver, but the old gal wound up slicker than snot on a door knob after a good clean and lube, was WELL worn in! Spent more on the barrel than the gun (I forgot to mention choke tubes installed.) Turned out to be an A-1 quail and defense gun. JHC They are pretty common around here usually go for between 200 to 450 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster Ron Wayne Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 Congratulations Santa ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103 Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 An old and dear friend sold me his for eighty bucks. Ten years later he asked if I would sell it back, and I did, for the same price. I would never have parted with that fine old gun otherwise. Looking at yours, I felt like I was looking at a lost and half starved puppy, the kind that looks at you with big and hopeful eyes. Delighted you took this one in and got it cleaned up and taken care of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted January 7, 2020 Author Share Posted January 7, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619 Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 I do love the Model 12. In the 1950s and '60s, a Mod. 12 in 16 gauge was my dad's main shotgun. He gave it to me in later years (in favor of his Beretta over-and-unders) and my oldest son owns it now. Just a great shotgun. Many memories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.