Circa 1925 Model 12 Winchester
Picked up a 28" Modified choke Model 12, serial number comes up circa 1925, at a show this past weekend for real inexpensive price. Several problems with it, that I noted when I picked it up. First off, the thing was filthy, with much caked on nastiness that took a stiff fine wire brush and Dremel mounted wire wheel to remove. Still, the slide racks "sketchy", that is, it feels like there is something binding at different times, sometimes when opening the gun, other times when closing it. We did notice that the operating arm of the slide was noticeably bent when we did manage to get the thing broken down, and straightened that with a mallet and a wooden block, making it a bit easier to operate, but not fixing all the problems, either. At this point, to get the shotgun apart, I have to remove the trigger assembly, and fool around with the slide 'lock', the rocking piece that grabs the slide and also releases it from the bolt.
After a long and tedious tale of woe, is there anyone who can recommend a 'smith that does good work on Model 12's? Who would you have work on Yours? Thanks!
