Winchester 1912 Black Diamond Trap

[Samuel Bishop]

Originally Posted by John Bastiani

I had a Black Diamond model 12 that was almost exactly like yours with the straight stock and small forend. It was made in 1922 with the 2 pin milled vent rib. Even though the gun was in 98% condition the pad had flattened through the years and I had to replace it like your gun. I did find a real Winchester pad and didn't use a repo. I have had several high grade model 12's(Pigeons-traps-skeets) but this had the best figured wood of the bunch(4x by winchester wood grading standards) Also: In the number 5 picture that you show-my gun had what I called a diamond and not a star. I'm not sure but I always heard that you have a real black diamond gun if the diamond(star) mark is present. Anyway-nice gun and most people don't realize how hard it is to find a black diamond model 12 especially with condition. I also had a black diamond model 97 trap.

Yeah it has a Winchester pad but no clue what vintage. I will say this is the first I’ve ever seen so I would agree they are a rare sight. I’ve never seen a vintage gun in person with 32in barrels either so it’s pretty cool piece to have lasted as well as has from 1916.