A Brief History of Winchester Guns
Winchester Rifles and Shotguns was established by Oliver F. Winchester on
February 20, 1866. The first model produced under his name was the Model
1866 lever-action rifle .44 caliber rimfire. There had been earlier rifles
using lever action including the Rocket Ball and Volition Repeater in
1848, Jennings Rifle (patent 1851), Smith and Wesson pistol, and Volcanic
Repeating Arms (New Haven Arms Company and Henry Rifles). When the design
was improved by B. Henry Tyler (shop foreman at the New Haven Arms
Company), the .44 caliber metalic rimfire cartridge became powerful enough to
compete with the single shot rifles of the day. Winchester Repeating
Arms Company established itself as one of the world's leading firearms
manufacturers of the world, and the subsequent rifles produced by Winchester are
highly prized by collectors today.
About Model 1912 Winchester Shotgun
The Model 1912 (or as it is more commonly known-- 'Model 12') was Winchester's first slide-action hammerless shotgun. It was designed
by T. C. Johnson, utilizing a strong frame and a hidden hammer. The chamber was made longer for the 2-3/4 inch shells in 1927, then later for 3 inch shells. This shotgun was available in many barrel lengths, all possible chokes, numerous gauges and 11 different models (also called 'configurations'). The pre-64 Model 12 Winchester was designed in 1912, with actual production from 1914 through 1963.
During that 51-year period, there were over 1,900,000 guns sold. Production, clean-up and special orders of the Model 12 continued until serial number 2,027,500 in 1980. THIS APPRAISAL COURSE WILL PROVIDE VALUES FOR ONLY PRE-64 'Model 12' WINCHESTER SHOTGUNS.
There are 11 distinct Model Configurations of Model 12 Winchester
shotgun, and they can vary a great deal in value.
For a complete
outline of the history of Winchester Guns
Click Here
Appraisals
To determine the value of your firearm, you must first analyze it carefully. There will be sufficient information in this course to accurately price and date your firearm . As you go through the process fill in appropriate boxes in the right-hand column by clicking the mouse-pointer on the open circle that is most appropriate.
In appraising your gun, you must initially
determine your Model Configuration. After selecting the appropriate Model, you will be guided through the many possible variations, then condition rating, to the final value range. There are also additional informational pages on the history of Winchester firearms. Recognize that the final value of your gun can be greatly influenced by special order features.
There are 4 steps to this process as you enter your Data.
Step 1: Determine the Model or Configuration of your gun
Step 2: Determine Model Variations
Step 3: Determine your Firearm Condition
Step 4: Determine the Value
and Manufacture Date of your Gun
Click Here to Begin your Appaisal.
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