1915 Model 12 Question

[Joe Dreisch]

I just picked up a model 12 that was made in 1915. The configuration is 30" solid rib full choke barrel, straight grip checkered stock, small checkered forend. In researching details of the gun I read that this happens to be the early tournament grade configuration and that the early ones were not marked with tournament grade. At any rate, it has fine checkering which has picked up some fill over the 107 years but wood is solid. Original barrel blue is great and magazine tube has what is to be expected at around 85% blue. Receiver and barrel extension have very little blue left as result of carry. As is, this gun really appeals to me. I really like the guns which (as condition evidences) were used a lot but well cared for. I am not inclined to rush out and make it look new.
Now for my question. Who would you recommend to clean up the checkering and "refresh" the wood finish correctly without going overboard?

[Joe Dreisch]

I just took these in a hurry but sun is not cooperating yet.

[Bill Murphy]

Remove the buttplate and you will probably find "TOUR" or "TOURNAMENT" stamped on the wood. Of course, if the butt has been shortened, not so much.

[Joe Dreisch]

My Lord, this is one long gun!! Trying to fit it into one picture is difficult! Here are a few more random shots:

[Joe Dreisch]

Bill, Thank You for the reply. It has the original buttplate which has some cool edge fading but is original and in great condition. Will have a look later today. Have to cut grass now.

[David C Porter]

Barrel needs to be rust blued. Try Roger Eubanks: http://www.eubanksgunsmithing.com/

[Joe Dreisch]

Thank You, Mr. Porter. I just brought the gun home yesterday and spent a couple hours cleaning it. The barrel has (IMO) 95% original rust blue with a liberal coat of RIG on it now making it appear a bit glossy. The bore cleaned up beautifully.

[Joe Dreisch]

Well, after cutting the grass and a 3 day visit to my In-Laws in Kentucky I finally had time to check under the butt plate as Bill Murphy instructed. Sure enough it is stamped TOUR. and has the initials WS carved below it!! Thank You, Bill, for schooling me on this.
I checked the bore, as well. bore- .732" choke- .695" with approximately 3/8" parallel bore @ muzzle

[Dave Noreen]

Here are the Tournament Grade from various Winchester paper. From a 1915 Winchester folder --

110813

From the 1916 Winchester catalog --

110811

From the 1920 Winchester catalog --

110812

From the 1925 Winchester catalog --

110814

By the next Winchester catalog I have, July 1931, the Tournament Grade had been replaced with the Standard Trap Grade, a gun offered in all three gauges. Also, the Trap Grade (Black Diamond) was replaced with the Special Trap Grade (also shown with the Black Diamond).

[davidboyles]

You have a very sweet M12. I've owned several duck models made somewhere around 1950. They will kill ducks close to a mile away!! Will surely kill doves with Lead at 60 plus yards . Enjoy this classic.

[Daryl Corona]

Sweet gun Joe. I'd contact Brian Dudley for the woodwork and leave the metal alone. He can freshen up the checkering and make it match the rest of the gun. You have a very desirable gun there.

[Bill Murphy]

Great advice, Daryl. Years ago, I bought a wonderful Tournament Grade two barrel set from a shop in Annapolis. It was about the same condition as the one pictured here. I sent it away to have the metal reblued. It was a great job, but I just couldn't live with that great old gun in new condition. I sold it cheap, because no one wanted a shiny new 100 year old Model 12. I won't make that mistake again. Somehow, Winchesters are not the same as old double guns. You can't bring a Winchester back from a bad refinish or even a good one.

[joe weatherly]

Congratulations, Mr. Joe, on such a great find ! What a neat piece in swell shape at an advanced age. Got to be a rather hard to come by specimen. Good job ! Thanks for
the pictures and enjoy shooting it.

[Joe Dreisch]

Thank You, Brother Joe. Your opinion means a lot to me. It is good to see you on the boards.

[Joe Dreisch]

Sweet gun Joe. I'd contact Brian Dudley for the woodwork and leave the metal alone. He can freshen up the checkering and make it match the rest of the gun. You have a very desirable gun there.

Daryl, I took your advice and contacted Brian Dudley about just what you recommended. I also learned from what Bill Murphy related about restoring a Winchester model 12. Brian agreed to accept the work which amazed me (given the extremely high caliber of his body of work). Long story short, Brian soaked the wood to remove oil and refinished the stock and forearm to a level commensurate with the condition of the gun. He also brought up the checkering beautifully. He has such a gift of harmony with the wood that I trusted his judgement implicitly. The gun is finished now and will be on the way to me directly. To my surprise, I had an email this morning with some pictures of the gun!! I could not be happier with what I see and am anxious to examine it gun-in-hand. I am sure it comes as no surprise to members of this board and it has been proven once again, Mr. Brian Dudley is one very talented and capable man. Thank You, Brian!

[Joe Dreisch]

Click picture to enlarge....! :corn:

[Daryl Corona]

That's just great Joe. Brian has done quality work for me. Bring the old girl along next time we are together.

[Richard Flanders]

If I thought the "fill" in the checkering consisted of old gun oil + sweat + skin fragments, none of which can do the wood any good, I'd definitely very gingerly clean it out, but that wrist checkering doesn't look too bad when you enlarge the pic.

[Brian Dudley]

Thanks for the mention Joe. I am really happy with how it cleaned up. Those photos are a little on the dark side. I am sure you will be very happy with the gun in hand. I was able to pull a good amount of oil out of the head of the stock and the fresh finish really evened out the color from front to back.

[Mike Franzen]

That’s a great gun. I had one in Black Diamond configuration that I foolishly let go of.