My grandfather’s Winchester Mannequin 12 is the one possession of his I’ve. It was handed all the way down to me after his firstborn son (my uncle) died a number of years in the past. Most hunters and shooters maintain on to weapons like these in an effort to really feel a way of closeness to their family members. However I by no means knew my grandfather. He died when my father was only a boy. So, to me this Mannequin 12 represents a touch at who Obed Genzel may need been. On the very least I do know that he was the sort of man who would stamp his title on the underside of the fore-end.
However I’m removed from the one hunter who owns a hand-me-down Winchester Mannequin 12. Through the years, I’ve seen numerous used Mannequin 12s on gun retailer racks. Most are in a situation much like my grandfather’s gun, which is to say effectively used however nonetheless purposeful. The Winchester Mannequin 12 at all times was, and continues to be, a workhorse shotgun. I don’t doubt that Obed’s Mannequin 12 will sometime be handed down to a different Genzel and I’m assured it can hold working simply as reliably for them.
Here’s a nearer take a look at why the Winchester Mannequin 12 was such a singular shotgun and why the platform has stood the take a look at of time.
- Gauge: 12 (examined), 16, 20, 28
- Motion: Pump
- Capability: 6+1
- Chamber: 2¾” (examined), 2 ½” (some 20 gauges), 3” (Heavy Duck)
- Barrel size: 26”, 28” (examined), 30”, 32”
- Choke: Mounted Full (examined), C, No. 1 skeet, No. 2 skeet, C, IC, M, IM
- Entrance sight: Pink fiber-optic
- End: Blued metal, walnut
- Size: 48”
- Size of pull: 14½”
- Set off pull weight: 2.13 lbs. (measured over a 3 pull avgerage)
- Gun Weight: 7.5 lbs
Winchester Mannequin 12 Historical past
Over 2 million Winchester Mannequin 12s had been bought from the gun’s debut in 1912 till it was discontinued in 1976. The primary Mannequin 12s had been 20 gauges, adopted by 12 and 16 gauges in 1914 and the 28-gauge in 1937. Winchester additionally made a Mannequin 42, which was a scaled-down .410 model of the Mannequin 12.
T.C. Johnson designed the Mannequin 12, constructing off John Browning’s designs of the Mannequin 1893 and 1897. Probably the most important distinction was Johnson’s Mannequin 12 had an inside hammer, so there was no have to cock a hammer earlier than firing. As soon as a shotshell is chambered, it’s able to go.
A number of variants of the Mannequin 12 had been engineered and produced, together with:
- Normal subject
- Event grade
- Particular lure grade
- Normal lure grade
- M12 lure
- Women and junior lure (20-gauge)
- Skeet
- Heavy duck
- Pigeon Grade
- Tremendous Pigeon Grade
Winchester additionally produced a featherweight mannequin from 1957 to 1962. A riot and trench gun had been made for the army and police (extra on this later). Winchester manufactured few legit 28 gauges and immediately they’re thought of extra helpful than the opposite fashions. In the event you’re trying to find a 28-gauge Mannequin 12, it’s necessary to know that there are some pretend 28-gauge Mannequin 12s in circulation. You’ll be able to at all times search for the gun’s serial quantity to make certain it’s genuine.
In 1928, some Mannequin 12s got here geared up with a Cutts Compensator, initially used to mitigate recoil on army weapons. It was additionally affixed to the legendary Tommy Gun. The Cutts Compensator grew to become standard with clay shooters within the Nineteen Forties and ’50s as a result of it added a little bit of weight to the shotgun’s barrel for a smoother swing, dampened recoil, and put the give attention to the goal (the dimensions of the Cutts saved shooters from aiming the gun). Some Mannequin 12s had been outfitted with a Polychoke, Cutts’ competitor.
Manufacturing prices introduced in regards to the demise of the Mannequin 12. Remington’s debut of the 870 in 1950, launched a inexpensive pump shotgun that emulated the manufacturing high quality of the Mannequin 12. Then, in 1964, Winchester famously revised its firearms line for cheaper manufacturing. A number of customized Mannequin 12s had been constructed into the Eighties, and Miroku trickled out the Browning Mannequin 12, a duplicate of the Winchester platform, from 1993 to 2006. These variants are stamped “Made in Japan.”
Winchester Mannequin 12 Army Historical past
Winchester Collector’s Org
The U.S. Army ordered 777 Mannequin 12s for World Conflict I. Most of these firearms had been the riot variant of the gun, constructed with a shorter barrel. Mannequin 12s had been used broadly in WWII (round 60,000), and the pump shotgun noticed motion within the Korean and Vietnam Wars earlier than its retirement. Hollywood motion pictures present troopers utilizing the ditch gun Mannequin 12, which was appropriate with a bayonet, to comb and clear enemy strongholds. It’s true Mannequin 12s had been used on this capability, however they had been extra generally carried by troopers on guard responsibility.
Working Winchester’s Mannequin 12
The Mannequin 12 is a smooth-running pump. The fore-end rides on a stable motion bar that received’t bend or twist. My grandfather’s gun typically has a little bit of bother biking shells when soiled, however just a little oil on the loading gate solves that downside. And since his Mannequin 12 has a 2 ¾” chamber, the journey of the fore-end is barely shorter, which helps with working the gun rapidly.
You’ll be able to load as much as six shotshells within the journal, however it’s essential to maintain the primary shell in place, or it can leap again into the loading gate. There’s a metal cross-bolt security on the entrance of the set off group, which, as a lefty, is extra favorable than a security on the rear of the set off.
Merely push up on the loading gate to take away unfired shotshells from the journal tube.
Taking pictures Grandpa’s Gun
Photograph by Joe Genzel
Obed was meticulous about caring for his Mannequin 12. His gun was manufactured in 1953 however has just a few scratches. Upon inspection of the chamber and barrel, I discovered them to be clear, with hardly any build-up from spent shotshells. It’s clear Obed shot the hell out of this gun on the lure vary, which was one among his few passions, together with looking and reloading ammunition. The end of the journal tube is worn from sliding the fore-end ahead and again to cycle the motion. There’s additionally a tiny gap within the journal tube, presumably from extreme use.
Some Mannequin 12s had Damascus barrels, however most—like my grandfather’s—have fluid metal barrels, which most gunsmiths I’ve talked to say have a thickness that’s secure to shoot smaller metal shot by way of. However to remain on the secure aspect, I solely run lead and bismuth by way of the Mannequin 12. I patterned the gun with a 1⅛-ounce load of lead No. 6s and a 1¼-ounce providing of bismuth No. 4s. To test the purpose of impression, I shot from 13 yards and located that the core sample of each hundreds constantly impacted 3 to 4 inches under my level of purpose. After taking pictures a number of rounds on paper at varied distances, it was clear why so many hunters toted the fastened full choke variant of this gun into the turkey woods. It will be devastating on gobblers inside 25 yards with lead or bismuth. It additionally threw patterns that will fold geese and pheasants out to 40 yards.
T.C. Johnson constructed the Mannequin 12 in order that it will match most shooters. I’m 6-foot-4 and 275 kilos, and the Mannequin 12 looks like an extension of my arms after I swing it on clays or birds. The walnut of the fore-end has an oil end and is checkered for grip. The picket inventory has the identical oil end because the fore-end, however there isn’t a checkering across the pistol grip. I choose the sleek grip for taking pictures lure as a result of it doesn’t agitate my fingers like checkering does. Although when it rains, the grip will get slick. This Mannequin 12 has a ventilated rib with an aftermarket fiber-optic entrance sight, however different variants had flat ribs or none in any respect.
Due to the gun’s weight, the Mannequin 12’s recoil is tame. Taking pictures Hevi-Bismuth, which carries a payload of 1¼ ounces and a muzzle velocity of 1,450 fps, the felt recoil is a manageable 36.2 foot/kilos. Plus, a really worn-in Redhead Model recoil pad affixed to the buttstock of my grandfather’s shotgun helps to cushion the blow.
Learn Subsequent: 10 Classic Shotguns Every Wingshooter Should Own
Discipline Stripping the Winchester Mannequin 12
Photograph by Joe Genzel
The Mannequin 12 is a takedown, which suggests it may be rapidly damaged down into two separate items. To take away the barrel and fore-end from the inventory and receiver, there’s a metal pin on the high of the journal tube, which it’s essential to push ahead and switch. This can disengage the journal tube from the receiver. Then, you have to rotate the barrel left or proper to take away it from the motion. Metal grooves interlock to attach the barrel and the receiver. To free the barrel, you twist and pull.
For reassembly, line up the metal barrel grooves with the sleek metal slots within the motion and rotate the barrel down. There may be an arrow on the journal tube and the inside of the receiver. Rotate the metal pin on the high of the journal tube in order that they line up. This can interact the journal tube with the receiver. Push the pin on the high of the journal tube in the other way you probably did to disassemble the Mannequin 12, and the gun shall be able to shoot.
Remaining Ideas on the Winchester Mannequin 12
Taking pictures a heavy, balanced, well-made pump shotgun just like the Mannequin 12 is at all times a pleasure. The Mannequin 12 is over a century outdated now, and you’ll nonetheless discover it on gun cabinets throughout the nation for as little as $450. If you’ll find one in first rate situation, the Mannequin 12 continues to be a viable selection as a workhorse pump shotgun immediately. That’s very true contemplating the market of modern pump shotguns, that are largely low-cost, Turkish-made fashions with homely seems.
Certain, you’ll must take excellent care of an outdated shotgun like this to forestall it from rusting in inclement climate, however in the event you do, there’s an excellent likelihood you’ll be capable to cross it all the way down to your grandkids.
