Winchester Model 12 Field Grade 12 Gauge Pump-Action Shotgun, 28" Nickel-Steel Barrel, 2 ¾" Chamber, MOD Choke
Made in 1937, this Winchester Model 12 Field Grade embodies the fully machined, hand-fitted quality that earned the platform its nickname “The Perfect Repeater.” It features a takedown joint for easy transport, a pre-1932 Nickel-Steel 28-inch barrel with modified choke, and the original slam-fire capability. Collectors will note the non-matching but period-correct barrel, Winchester “oval WP” proofs, and characteristic walnut furniture that define this classic American pump shotgun.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good – Shows some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Excellent – Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
There are dents and scratches on the walnut buttstock and pump handle, along with scattered marks and blemishes on the blued receiver.
What’s Included
- Winchester Model 12 Field Grade 12 Gauge shotgun
Produced during a single-year run of roughly 33,000 units, this 1937 receiver (serial 739xxx) pairs with an earlier Nickel-Steel barrel (serial 550xxx) that predates Winchester’s 1932 steel changeover—an interesting detail for collectors tracking production shifts.
The 28-inch plain barrel is chambered for 2 ¾-inch shells and cut with a modified choke, offering versatile performance for upland hunting or clays. Winchester’s Nickel-Steel barrels were prized for strength and durability, and this example retains a deep, even blued finish.
The shotgun’s slam-fire design allows the action to cycle and fire by simply holding the trigger while pumping—an original feature later removed from many repeating shotguns. Internals remain the original, fully machined steel parts that give the Model 12 its renowned smooth stroke.
Oil-finished walnut furniture presents a classic semi-pistol grip stock with a 14-inch length of pull, matched to a grooved walnut pump handle. A single brass bead front sight provides a simple, durable aiming point.
As a takedown model, the barrel and magazine assembly detach from the receiver with a quarter-turn, making storage and transport straightforward without tools.