1942 Model 12 Trench

[socalpig]

Recently picked up a nice Winchester in a collection. I know the 12’s have been covered somewhere in here, but I felt I should share some pics.
Any further insight on it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DAS HUGH!]

Wow, cool score! Congrats bro. I wanted one of these for a long time.
The finish tho, it's different from mine. Is it parkerized?
Also, I can't tell but do the numbers match?

 

[socalpig]

Parkerized, numbers matching

 

[NavCorman]

Damn . Nice find . On my bucket list as well . Stay safe .

 

[G-rat]

man, the stories that thing could tell... outstanding piece of Americana! very nice get.

 

[DAS HUGH!]

Parkerized, numbers matching

Just looked it over. Seems legit to me so far but I'm no expert. I did make sure your foregrip had 18 rings. Mine does also. It's likely original too. The guru here for these are @J pace he'll be able to tell ya all ya need to know

 

[socalpig]

Just looked it over. Seems legit to me so far but I'm no expert. I did make sure your foregrip had 18 rings. Mine does also. It's likely original too. The guru here for these are @J pace he'll be able to tell ya all ya need to know

Thanks brother. Look forward to him throwing his expertise into the ring.

 

[J pace]

Judging by the serial number your gun was made in 1914.( The first year the model 1912 was produced in 12 gauge ) Is your gun a model 1912 or a model 12? Model 1912 would be marked on the barrel and on the slide bar. The model designation was changed to 12 in the year 1919. There were some World War 1 model 1912 trench guns( Somewhere around 1000) but they would have 6 digit serial numbers. What is the choke marking on the barrel and does it have ordinance bomb proof mark? What kind of sling swivel on the stock? Should be the same as the model 1917 rifle. World War II Trench guns will have a 6 digit serial number beginning with 9 or a 7 digit serial number beginning with10. This is a general rule but in war time anything is possible.

 

[socalpig]

Judging by the serial number your gun was made in 1914.( The first year the model 1912 was produced in 12 gauge ) Is your gun a model 1912 or a model 12? Model 1912 would be marked on the barrel and on the slide bar. The model designation was changed to 12 in the year 1919. There were some World War 1 model 1912 trench guns( Somewhere around 1000) but they would have 6 digit serial numbers. What is the choke marking on the barrel and does it have ordinance bomb proof mark? What kind of sling swivel on the stock? Should be the same as the model 1917 rifle. World War II Trench guns will have a 6 digit serial number beginning with 9 or a 7 digit serial number beginning with10. This is a general rule but in war time anything is possible.

Serial is 941199, US and flaming bomb marked. Barrel also bomb marked.

 

[J pace]

I did not see the 9, a little out of place. What about the choke And swivel On the stock

 

[socalpig]

 

[J pace]

Under that serial number original finish would be blue, If it went to The ordinance department for any reason it would have come out parkerized

 

[DAS HUGH!]

I just noticed mine has an oddball W in front of the loading gate area. I'll have to dig and see what that's all about now too. They must have stamped them different at some point as the gap between my numbers is closer too

 

[socalpig]

I just noticed mine has an oddball W in front of the loading gate area. I'll have to dig and see what that's all about now too. They must have stamped them different at some point as the gap between my numbers is closer too

QC 1940 vs 1942? Lmao

 

[DAS HUGH!]

QC 1940 vs 1942? Lmao

Maybe so lol. Now that I see this W I'm hoping mine is a little special too lol. Likely a heavy duck mark of some sort tho.
I want a trench like yours one day tho. Even if I have to modify one. I just love that look. The bayonet is too awesome also.
Lucky azz!

 

[J pace]

I just noticed mine has an oddball W in front of the loading gate area. I'll have to dig and see what that's all about now too. They must have stamped them different at some point as the gap between my numbers is closer too

The w simply means that it was reblued at the factory for whatever reason. For some reason the original blue was Flawed and they reblued it.

 

[DAS HUGH!]

The w simply means that it was reblued at the factory for whatever reason. For some reason the original blue was Flawed and they reblued it.

Thanks. While looking at that mark again I found 2 more marks lol. 2 fancy WP's. All are so tiny I missed them for all this time. Lots of small details on these rascals

 

[J pace]

The WP inside an oval is the Winchester proof mark. Different barrel configurations the proof marks will be in different places as shown in the red circles.

 

[DAS HUGH!]

The WP inside an oval is the Winchester proof mark. Different barrel configurations the proof marks will be in different places as shown in the red circles. View attachment 231101

Yeah kinda surprised I didn't see them till now. I'll show ya mine. I'm hoping I can find evidence somehow one day that mine was special ordered to be 18 inches. I wonder if the W sort of says it may be possible they chopped it off to order there, then blued it again? I'll include a Pic of the end too. It sort of looks like it has blue on the cut. It looks professionally done by someone at least. I can't help but wonder if someone wanted basically a riot setup that was 3 inch capable and ordered this lol. Is there a way to research special orders they made?
It's a very small chance I know. But can't help but wonder tho.
Btw a winchester 22 pump just posted, I nearly mentioned ya but figured you like already saw it before I did lol
Thanks

 

[J pace]

The W Was stamped on the receiver in the inspection process before it was ever assembled into a gun. It was reblued before it ever became a gun.