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Exceptional World War II U.S. Army Contract Winchester Model 12 Trench Shotgun

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Shotguns Start Price:3,750.00 USD Estimated At:7,500.00 - 9,500.00 USD
Exceptional World War II U.S. Army Contract Winchester Model 12 Trench Shotgun
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Exceptional World War II U.S. Army Contract Winchester Model 12 Trench Shotgun

This Winchester Model 12 Trench Gun was manufactured in 1944 and has the correct green parkerized finish found on very late WWII produced Winchester Model 12 Trench Guns. The Winchester Model 12 and Model 97 Trench shotguns were the primary U.S. combat shotguns in WWII and Korea and even into Vietnam and were used by both the Marine Corp and U.S. Army. Original WWII examples are extremely rare today, as almost all were rebuilt and reparkerized over time and are significantly more difficult to find than blued trench guns, as the production numbers were considerably less than the blued versions. The receiver has the distinctive milling marks found only on Model 12 Trench Guns with parkerized finishes. The shotgun has the late production, parkerized, four-hole hand guard/bayonet lug with thick wire sling swivel and "W" stamped on the left side of the bayonet lug. A small Ordnance "Shell and Flame" insignia is stamped on the top of the barrel just ahead of the receiver. The right side of the receiver is roll-stamped with "U.S." and the "Shell and Flame" insignia below the ejection port. The left side of the stock is stamped with the Ordnance final inspection mark that consists of the initials "G.H.D." in a rectangle above a small (1/4-inch) diameter Ordnance escutcheon. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped with the New Haven address and patent dates followed by: "-WINCHESTER-/-TRADE MARK-" in two lines and "MODEL 12-12 GA-2 3/4 CHAM./CYL" in two lines. The date of manufacture, "44" (1944), is stamped on the underside of the barrel. The top of the barrel and top of the receiver are stamped with the oval Winchester "WP" proofmarks. The underside of the barrel and receiver are roll-stamped with the serial number "1031492". The stock is fitted with a black, checkered, hard rubber buttplate with the encircled Winchester logo in the center and a parkerized sling swivel. The Model 12 Trench Guns remained in service from WWII thru the 1990-91 Gulf War with most having have been rebuild/reparkerized several times. Consequently original WWII examples in this super high end condition are very rarely found in any U.S. martial collection today.

Manufacture: Winchester
Model: 12
BBL: 20 1/2 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 12
Finish: parkerized
Grips:
Serial Number: 1031492

Excellent with 98% plus of the original WWII parkerized finish with only slight edge and high spot wear with some wear to the magazine tube under the pump handle just from cycling the trench shotgun. The markings are clear, sharp and distinct. The stock and forearm are both in excellent condition with nice deep crisp cartouches with minimal handling marks overall.