Winchester Model 12 Trench Gun manufactured in 1943. This Trench Gun has the Winchester commercial blue finish on the hand guard/bayonet lug, barrel, magazine and receiver. The walnut stock and forearm have a varnish finish. The stock has a black, checkered, hard rubber, buttplate with the circular Winchester logo. The shotgun is fitted with the WWII pattern, four-hole, hand guard/bayonet lug. The stock has a sling swivel and a thick wire sling swivel is located on the hand guard above the bayonet lug. A small Ordnance "Shell and Flame" insignia is stamped on the top of the barrel just in front of the receiver. "U.S." and the "Shell and Flame" insignia are roll stamped on the right side of the receiver below the ejection port. The left side of the stock is stamped with the Ordnance "G.H.D." inspection mark enclosed in a rectangle. A small, 1/4-inch, Ordnance Escutcheon is stamped below the final inspection mark. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line Winchester address and patent dates followed by "-WINCHESTER-/-TRADE MARK-" in two lines and "MODEL 12-12 GA.-2 3/4 CHAM./CYL." in two lines. The manufacture date "43" is stamped on the underside of the barrel. The serial number, "1016016", is roll-stamped on the underside of the barrel and receiver. The oval Winchester "W/P" proofmark is stamped on the top of the barrel and receiver. The Winchester Model 12 Trench Gun and the Model 97 Trench Gun were the primary U.S. combat shotguns in WWII. The Model 12 Trench Gun was used extensively in combat by the Marine Corps in WWII and continued in service during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Model 12 Trench Guns were still in limited use during the 1990-1991 Gulf War. As a result of this extensive service most Model 12 Trench Guns were rebuilt or arsenal overhauled. Model 12 Trench Guns in original condition are scarce. Un-issued examples like this shotgun are rare.

Excellent. This retains 98% plus of the original blue finish. The stock and forearm are both in excellent condition and have 98% of the varnish finish. Wear is limited to several very minor storage marks on the right side of the stock. The Ordnance final inspection mark and Ordnance escutcheon on the left side of the stock are in perfect condition. The Winchester and Ordnance markings on the barrel and receiver are extremely crisp. This is an outstanding example of an un-issued, WWII production, Winchester Model 12 Trench Gun. It would be extremely difficult to improve upon this exceptional shotgun.