[Old and Reliable]

The Model 1912 was introduced in 20 gauge with 25" barrel in 1912- the Model 1912 in 16 and 12 gauge was introduced in 1914- In 1912 the 20, 16 and 12 gauge Model 1912's (nickel steel barrels) became known as the Model 12- WRA saved a few pennies by eliminating the 19- same gun, same perch belly stock in the field grades (until 1935)-- Nickel steel was still the stamping until about 1933, when Winchester proof Steel (AISI 4140) replaced it, after the Fubar with the stainless barrels-

The 3" Mag M12 came out in 1935, and the first year for the M12 in 28 gauge was 1937- Not sure, as I have about as much interest in .410 shotguns as I do kissing Monica Lewinski at the next Veteran's Day Blast at the Polish Falcon hall in Cicero, IL- but I believe the M42 came out in about 1933- Tommy C. Johnson and Wm. Roehmer (who help[ed design the Model 21) developed that shotgun--

If I mislead anyone interested in either Model 1912's or Model 12's, my apologies- but at least I spell "Murphey" as Murphy- and to answer the ? on the error in the Madis book- "The Winchester Model Twelve 1 of 1000" it is, like the Murphey/Murphy spelling thing, that sorta error-see pg. 148- the blonde Lady actress with a M12 much like my 1948 Pigeon Grade Trap- her name is Ann Sothern"- not Southern- as the great Casey "Stinky" Stengel once said- "Hey, you can always look it up in da book" and I did- Maybe Mr. Madis has British ancestry- the Limeys are always adding an extra "u" here and there- honor becomes honour- etc- who knew??