Winchester model 12 expert needed

[seez52]

I've got a 12 ga. Model 12 that's in pretty decent shape. Full choke plain bbl. It was my grandfathers gun, probably hasn't been shot in 40 years.

 

I'd like to sort of get a little history on the gun, so I'm looking for a serial number. Seems like I've seen the number on these under the bottom just in front of the loading port and also on or near the magazine tube. This one does not have a serial number I can find. Looks like it has the original finish, there's just no number I can see. Is there possibly another location where a serial number might be located? I thought all Winchesters had serial numbers even back with shotguns were not required to have them?

 

 

[LngRngShtr]

that is the serial number it is located the same place as a Win 97 

 

should be the same number twice as it comes apart just in front of the receiver , I am pretty sure all 12s come apart in this manner and only the '97 had a solid frame version.

 

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

 

I use my 1929 production 1897 for crows and occasionally squirrels but no longer waterfowling because the required use of steel shot would possibly harm the barrel of these old timers.

 

John

[seez52]

Unfortunately mine does not have a number in that location.

[LngRngShtr]

Sometimes they are faint  and hard to see but every 12 my family owns ( 5 ) have the numbers just in front of the loading port

 

perhaps a tracing paper rubbing or  a dusting with cake flour would raise something and is easy to remove when your done.

 

the geeky ones go for a pic and switch the colors to negative via photoshop

 

Hope you find it  a call to Winchester may be in order if it doesnt work out

 

the really old "Model of 1912" looked almost hand engraved and really stylized but shallower then modern stamping

 

John