I am trying to determine if the forend and buttstock on this 1938-39 Model 12 are a factory item.

The buttstock shaping appears correct, and the uncut wood is curved under the pad. This seems correct for an original buttplate.

The forend on the other hand is unlike any I have handled.

In your opinion, is it factory or aftermarket?

Looks to me like a Sile Stock and forearm

Mike

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=516972712#PIC

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/9427048/gu...odel-12-forearm

skeettx,

Very similar. Could be it.

Checkering patterns are a bit different, and the checkering quality is better on the gun.

Thanks!

Agreed, not asking about the poorly installed pad. It is clearly not original.

My comment was only that the wood under the pad had not been cut.

Forearm is clearly not original. The stocks on that vintage usually were not checkered. I'm guessing it isn't original.

The buttstock could be an an original postwar or very late prewar field grade stock with aftermarket checkering, or the stock could be aftermarket. Either way it is not original to this gun in its present configuration.

The butt stock looks awful clean to be original to a gun that old....I assume the gun has been re-blued ?

Is this an original Winchester forearm and butt stock ?

What is the serial number? That has some importance to the answer to Joe's question. It is a difficult question.

1954 is the year of production.

The stock may or may not be orginal to the gun. But it is an orginal field stock with after market checkering. The clue is a common error that some do when attempting to up grade to a factory deluxe by forgetting to cut a pisol grip that takes a grip cap. Which also means the wood has to be undercut in the rear where it blends into stock. All of this something to aware of as the market for model 12's reaches for the sky . EG How many bent nose pigeons have you seen on (pigeon grade's.) In the old days there were a couple of engravers that would cut them in for $25-35. at the local trapshoots. So use care in selecting your model 12. Look at them as a shooter not the end of the rainbow.

Thanks all.

I did not think it was original, but with odd stuff, always a good idea to check.