Manufacture date help with a Winchester Mod 12

[jim70739]

Could someone please tell me the manufacture date for a Winchester Mod 12 shotgun serial no. 987305. It has a 1942 date marked barrel but I am not at all sure how original it is. It has been re-blued at some point.
Thank you much..

[Tom Doniphon]

It's of 1942 mfg. Is it a riot gun, long barreled gun or a trench gun?

[jim70739]

It is what I take to be a riot gun with my limited knowledge. The barrel has a 42 date stamped on it, is roughly 20" long with front sight bead and the ordnance bomb, small proof mark on it.
Thank you for the help.

[Tom Doniphon]

If a riot gun, the barrel should be marked "CYL".

[jim70739]

Thank you, it is marked "CYL"

[Liam]

I get 1945 according to the chart at the link below:

http://www.mchenry-sc.org/Engineering/Model_12.htm

Of course, like anything on the internet, it could be wrong.

[Tom Doniphon]

I get 1945 according to the chart at the link below:

http://www.mchenry-sc.org/Engineering/Model_12.htm

Of course, like anything on the internet, it could be wrong.

Most, if not all, of the production tables for these guns are incorrect. The date I stated of 1942 is based on the Winchester Polishing Room records which is when the receiver was serial numbered.

[Liam]

Thanks, Tom. Up until now, I have depended solely on the chart I listed. It seemed to be accurate when I checked serial numbers on GunBroker against the sellers' estimation of manufacture (on 3 or 4 occasions). I will have my pinch of salt at the ready next time. - Liam