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I aquired a Model 12 made in 1917 last week. I found it at a gun store and it looked like it needed a good home .....Mine. Now don't "nail me to the cross" because it's a 12 ga Laughing

That's the only downer to this story. Wink

The blueing is about 75% original and turning brownish with normal wear around the receiver/trigger areas and such with no rust spots at all. There is a little pitting in the 30 inch full choke barrel probably from corrosive primers is my guess. The stock had been cut very short probably for a kid with a recoil pad installed probably in the late 40's or very early 50's or earlier judging from the White Line pad. The action itself was tight and I could see that a very thorough cleaning was in order. The barrel was loose and timing was bad on it and I showed the sales person and they knocked off $45.00 off the marked price of $250.00. I beleive this gun had not had the bolt taken out of the receiver in over 50 years if ever judging by the the coagulated oil. I literally had to scrape it off with a wooden tool we used to call an orange stick even after I soaked it in different solvent's.

Finally, after cleaning and adjusting the barrel sleeve, replacing the hammer, that I had, for the timing part and placing another stock, that I already had, on it, it came to life. I took it out this after noon on the trap range and shot first a 21 then a 25. I think I'll keep it. Very Happy

I'm now looking for the correct era of stock for it.

Now for the question that I have. While I had the gun apart I noticed that on the bottom of the barrel, back of the receiver where the stock fits and on the left side of the bolt, there is stamped "M.N.S." I do not know what this stands for and cannot find what it means. Is it someone's initials or does it stand for Molybdenum Nickel Steel? This is the oldest model 12 I have as the other four are newer 1927-1947.

Now I don't claim to know everything except to my wife and kids and they believe me........riight! Twisted Evil

Robert

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3439 Location: Illinois

M-more
N-nonstandard
S-sixteens------------------- Embarassed

If it is stamped in the metal vs scratched/awled or otherwise I am guessing it is the approval stamp of the maker for pressure.

Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 247 Location: Wickenburg, AZ

According to Madis' Model 12 book ( bottom of pg 44) these were markings for the steel mill that the nickel steel came from.

Definitely a nickel steel gun... and there are those who believe those thinner nickel steel barrels made for the best pointing pump shotgun ever made. I think your 25 confirms that for you.

Congratulations..that gun will last several lifetimes.