doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Simmons rib on model 12

You are right. Simmons made several ribs for the Model 12s. In fact, some of the styles of Winchester ribs over the years were made by Simmons. The Simmons employees were hired by Winchester to teach the Winchester employees how to make the ribs and then Winchester took over and made their own just like the original Simmons ribs. So, the ribs look fine on the Model 12s. The thing that looks bad and turns people off is the Simmons name run down the side of the rib. A lot of Model 12 collectors won't give them a second look. So, it really detracts from their looks and decreases the value as far as a lot of people are concerned. I certainly wouldn't buy one with a stamp on it no matter how good of a buy it is. But that just my opinion.

I did go back and look at the gun in question. The serial number is 19094XX. It looks to me like the buttstock is a replacement; however, the foream could be original and is checkered. The Simmons name is very clearly marked on the side of the rib.

That means a reduction in value of at least $2-300.00 minimum less than what it is worth if it had an original Winchester rib. Or even a Simmons without the name on the rib.

I have seen original Model 42s with Simmons marked ribs, but I have never seen an original Model 12 with Simmons markings on the rib. Many Model 12s and 42s were marketed through Simmons with Simmons marked ribs. These are a sub category for Winchester skeet gun collectors if the gun has features that suggest or prove they were marketed by Simmons when new. Simmons marketed Model 42s are much more accepted by collectors than are Simmons marketed Model 12s. That is because original Winchester vent rib 42s are very hard to find and the Simmons guns fill a collector void.