[DougM]

I just inherited a Winchester Model-12
(16-ga, SN 917xxx with a Poly-Choke, 24" barrel, full)
that I want to restore to a reliable skeet/trap/bird gun for a young man. It has a bad stock and needs some metal refinishing, so there's no question of keeping it original. I want to get rid of the polychoke.
-Question 1: where can I dig up the manufacturing date?
-Question 2: can I convert this barrel to screw-in chokes, or should I get a new barrel?
-Question 3: Which choke type/brand should I cut it for?

 

[Wags]

Poly Chokes were the craze for quite a few years before screw in choke tubes took off. I own a Ithaca Mod 37 16ga. from the late 1940's that has a early Poly Choke on it. It's very ugly, but my best patterning and favorite shotgun to date! It will stay......

The barrel is 24", and with the P.C. it's 26". I first thought about taking mine off also. Remember, if you take out the P.C. from a 24" barrel, your threads are still back in the barrel maybe another 1 1/2" possibly more. Then you'd have about a 22" barrel max I'm guessing or less to work with.

If I were you I'd just purchase a spare barrel for what you intend on using this shotgun the most for. If you pattern this shotgun with the P.C. on, you'll be very surprised how well a pattern you'll have for the desired choke selected. I still keep my upland bird hunting friends in awe when I take the most birds with this big headed wonder! Keep this barrel like your relatives left it to you.

 

[Wags]

I forgot to tell you to go to www.shotgunworld.com under Winchester lovers. I'm sure someone can help you out on date of manufacture.

 

[greenster]

Yes dude I Agreee with WAGS just buy another barrel for it. keep the original and keep it in orginal shape. and get the stock and every thing redone...mighty nice collectors gun.. fAr as the date Im stumpted im looking in my book at it i know every thing but the date of manifacture but im guessing mid-late 50"s Early 60"s