Madis wrote an entire book on the Model 12, but in "The Winchester Book", he includes only basic information. It seems the Model 1912 became the Mod 12, and Model 12 about 1918.
The 20 gauge chamber was lengthened from 2 1/2" to 2 3/4" in 1925, and the 16 gauges was lengthened from 2 9/16" to 2 3/4" in 1927.
I found a nice 16 ga. in a shop that had modest freckling on the left side, and chambered in 2 9/16" but it had a more fancy checkering pattern, and despite the Poly Choke, it paid the $300 asking price. The little gun is such a sweetheart to shoot, I'll never 'restore' it.
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