I inherited an OLD model 12, so old that the barrel stamp reads Model 1912, (ser.#121330.) It has a polychoke on it. 12 ga. I'm guessing the choke was a later modification? Other than the choke, it's not in bad condition (ie- no visble rust, stock not cracked, bluing looking more silver than black). Anyone have any clue what it might be worth?

quote:

Originally posted by wihntr:
I inherited an OLD model 12, so old that the barrel stamp reads Model 1912, (ser.#121330.) It has a polychoke on it. 12 ga. I'm guessing the choke was a later modification? Other than the choke, it's not in bad condition (ie- no visble rust, stock not cracked, bluing looking more silver than black). Anyone have any clue what it might be worth?

Yours is a 1916 model. Model 12's are, IMO, one of the best bargains out there in the used shotgun "rack". That said, they don't bring as much as you would like to see if you're selling one. The choke detracts somewhat from the price. I sold the last one, which was a nice original plain barrel (30" full) 1925 mfg. for $450 IIRC.

Don't try to run steel thru it but keep it and shoot it, good for all upland game birds ,rabbits & squirrels.I looked it up in my blue book if it had the cutt's compensator , it said reduce value by 50%.I have a 1924 nickel steel 30" barreled mod 12 converted to trap with a Simmons rib and Y Mod wood cast off to fit me by Gunsmith Ellis Simon paid about $1500 20yrs ago .

quote:

Originally posted by scr83jp:
Don't try to run steel thru it but keep it and shoot it, good for all upland game birds ,rabbits & squirrels.I looked it up in my blue book if it had the cutt's compensator , it said reduce value by 50%.I have a 1924 nickel steel 30" barreled mod 12 converted to trap with a Simmons rib and Y Mod wood cast off to fit me by Gunsmith Ellis Simon paid about $1500 20yrs ago .

You're right about the Cutts, and the poly choke hurts it even more. I really like a Cutts. They pattern great & reduce recoil a bunch. I have a 1947 vintage black diamond skeet model 20 ga. that I restocked in an English straight grip that I shoot quite a bit.

Does it say nickel steel on the barrel?

In the condition you describe with the polychoke on it, I'd think $250-$300 would be about all it's worth and you might have trouble getting that.

BTW, it is probably still a good shooter. If you want to check for wear, be sure it unloaded, close the bolt and push up on it with your fingers from the bottom of the receiver. It will almost certainly have some movement, but if it moves a lot (which is something only a few tests of 12s with various stages of wear can really teach you) then it is probably due for a rebuild which would cost more than the gun is worth. However, it would not be unsafe to shoot unless it becomes a "self loader" so to speak.

I would not shoot magnum loads in it. Not that they would be unsafe, but they would hasten the wear. In spite of what you hear, the steel and heat treating in 1916 were not anywhere close to what they were later.