Originally Posted By: Don Moody
Originally Posted By: Jimmy W
Although the quality of the rib will be the same as the original Winchester, the only way a Simmons rib looks OK on a Model 12 is if they DON'T put their silly name down the side of the rib.


There are some Simmons marked rib on Model 12s that were considered to be factory. So some look OK. The big problem is counterfeiting.

Side Story: I have a 1968/72 Deluxe L.C. Smith, one of 188 made. They were all fitted with a steel Simmons marked rib, and so stated in the Marlin catalogs at the time. So the marked ribs were factory for this model and look OK.
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.