Winchester 1912 Tournament Grade
 

Not a fine double but I'll share some pics of a Winchester Model 1912 Tournament Grade pump gun I've been working out with at sporting over the past few weeks. That is, between grouse and some duck hunting. 12-gauge with 32-inch solid rib barrel, Full choke. "Nickel Steel". Man she smokes the clays if I do my part. 104 years old ..... Cody says she was made in November 1917.

Very nice :cool:

Thats a rare gun! Does the gun have its original bluing and finish? Also most of these guns were 30 inch barrels. I collected Winchesters for over 40 years and had several model 12's but hardly ever saw a Tournament grade. The closest model 12 I had to yours was a black diamond(stamped trap) made in 1922 with a 30 inch barrel and 2 pin milled rib. I wished that I would have kept that gun as it was in excellent original condition. Also had a Model 12-20 gauge stamped(standard trap) that was in almost new condition except for some flaking that is almost seen on every early M-12 of the era. It was one of my favorite guns in my collection.

It looks so much better than the black gun (Benelli?) in the rack.

Ken

Just some additional info. John, I've used and collected Model 12's for a long time now and understand this is a rare one especially with 32-inch tube and original buttplate. Yes the stock and metal finishes are original and there are a few spots of typical "flaking" in the bluing that can be seen in the pics. It is stamped TOUR under the buttplate. Operation is nice and crisp with no wear to the locking recess in the receiver and the bolt lifts fully into lock position. I doubt it was fired all that much and so far I've run 400 rounds with zero failures to feed, fire or eject. This Tournament 1912 has the crispest trigger of any M12 I've owned including many Trap Grades ..... no doubt special attention by the Big Red W.

Great gun. Nice to see such a clean Model 12. In the Winchester catalogs I have, the Tournament Grade (or Gun) is offered only in 12-gauge, and many of the catalog texts only mention a 30-inch barrel.

1916 --

Attachment 101555

1920 --

Attachment 101556

Attachment 101557

1925 -- The text here does mention optional barrel lengths for the Tournament Grade --

Attachment 101558

Attachment 101559

By the July 1931 Winchester catalog the Tournament Grade (or Gun) is gone, replaced by the Standard Trap Grade, and the old Trap Grade became the Special Trap Grade.

Thanks Dave. Dave Riffle in his book (page 17) shows the Tournament Grade standard barrel at 30" and that 26, 28 and 32's were also available. Apparently 32" could be special-ordered earlier than shown in the 1925 catalog cut. My gun is November 1917. Riffle also stated that Tournament stocks were selected from the highest amount of walnut figure available and were hand-checkered and oil finished. I was and am very happy to have found this Model 1912. A natural pointer and she shoots very well. :)

Trap gun on a sporting clays course? I call then "professors". Hit or miss, very few chippers, and if you miss you'd better figure out why. :)

Wow Frank. You are killing me.... straight stock, solid rib and 32".:bowdown:

I know now where a diamond grade M12 , 16ga. straight grip is for sale locally. No rib and in fair condition. Yours takes the cake. Bravo my friend.

I picked up a Model 12 16 with a 30” plain full choke barrel a few months ago . But my dexterity with a pump ain’t what it once was .

Looking at the photos and literature I think I may have a Tournament grade also.It has a 30in.barrel with full choke made in 1925. It is in nowhere near the condition of Frank's gun.The stock was cut to 12 3/8 in. so I added an aluminum and plastic spacer and new pad to extend the length to 14 3/8,but bluing looks original but well worn.Would post a picture but not sure how to go about it.

Frank that is one nice model 12 ,here's my similar model 12 with its worn checking, built in 1917 also 32" solid rib full choke gun that shoots and points like a dream. The bore is .729 with .031 choke.

Frank I have one with 2 sets of solid rib bbls 30 and 32"

Just when that fire dies down, Frank, you've re-kindled it. That is the sexiest configuration. They look like they could go 100mph. I have a first year 16 with 26" Full choke and have often thought of a High Plains straight stock, but he doesn't make the fore end.

Thanks gents. Yes Edgar for many of us Model 12 embers keep rekindling.

Deer woods are pretty quiet now that opening day is past and I took a day off hunting yesterday to shoot her again at Rock Mountain and did pretty well. Did make one modification though. The original front sight is a 1/8 diameter brass bead. Kind of dinky out there and besides I much prefer ivory or white metal. I unscrewed and saved it of course, and replaced with a 5/32 diameter silver bead from my parts stash. :cool:

Yah I’ve read many times how we’re supposed to point a shotgun, not aim it. :)

I've got to agree with Mr. Spencer Frank that is a sexy M12. I don't know what configuration means but if Edgar says it is good I believe him.

Seriously, that is one fine looking pump gun.:bowdown: Put me on the list when it goes up for sale.

I Don't either, Daryl. It's just one of the big words I know how to spell.

You are one up on me sir, I had to Google it !:eek:

Edgar, if there's a dispute about the originality of the gun it would be a "configuration conflagration" and if you were a 3rd party drawn into the dispute it would be a "configuration conflagration conscription" and if it would be the beginning of the heated debate it would be a "configuration conflagration conscription conception". Just sayin'. :cool:

Can anyone tell me how many model 12 28 gauge pigeon grades were made?

cannot be many made wish I had one....so many guns I wish I had owned and not enough time.....charlie