doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Model 12 Question

Came across a Model 12 Skeet gun,12 ga.,26in. vent rib,top of receiver bead blasted,WS-1 choke,really nice wood,but serial #1965xxx say's 1968!Wouldn't be a Y-model?

If the receiver is forged AISI 4140 steel it is pre-Y series. If it is investment cast (Bill Ruger's process- aka- "lost wax" it is the later Y-series.

The serial# info I found is not right.I searched around and found there were original Model 12's assembled between 1964-66 ending with serial # 197xxxx.

The gun in question http://photobucket.com/sqweeler i5

I thought that the Y series guns actually had Y in the serial number. Maybe I am remembering incorrectly.

Looks like a standard, late pre 64 three pin vent rib skeet. Y guns, no matter what anyone says, are not of interest to collectors. I saw one at a show today, a minty Y skeet, with a price tag of $650 and I expect to see it there again today.

Thanks Eightbore,That's what it is. Any guesstimate on it's value?

Hard to say- the premium priced M12's Unaltered, have always been, IMO- those made before WW11-better wood available- and as a retired WRA machinist once told me- before WW11- especially in the Custom Shop- they held tighter tolerances- but with the WW11 and the FDR "Arsenal of Democracy"- two factors entered the picture- (1) increased production volums, more open tolerances on non-critical areas- (2) All military weapons are basically made to open tolerances- to allow for dirt, grit, blod, mud, crappy ammo- etc- as a sidebar- one downfall of some of the great Kraut semi and fully auto weapons of the early WW11 era- before Hitler Fubared it with the invasion of Russia in 1941-- their weapons were made and fitted with Kraut-Swiss watch like precision- and the cyclical rate of fire reflected it- later, they replaced some fo9rgings with stampins and opened machinisng tolerances, as did all the countris involved in that War-I have a used but clean M12- field grade 12 gauge 30" full made in 1937- and a "identical twin" which I would sell, but in our area and economy- it ain't movin' now a skeet or trap gun, maybe yes-if you find an old dog like me that things the Model 12 (before the Y series) was indeed "The Perfect Repeater"-

Just wondering with the economy what an honest late 3 pin Skeet Grade would bring.Thanks Fox

A minty late three pin should be priced at $1000 to $1250. I have seen three pin skeets recently for as little as $750. A donut post, $1500 to $1900. A round post from $1300 to $1500. A two pin $1600 to $2200. Remember, these prices are for minty 12 gauge Skeet Grade guns with original butt plates and no choke devices.