With the end of the season just a few days away i decided to break out the model 12 for the first time since last season. 3 quick setup's & just 3 birds. Besides a serious shortage of crow's around here these guys knew who Johnny was & would get within 150 yards & turn back. They wanted no part of it. For a while i thought i was going to get skunked. The faulks C-50 saved the day. If i had known it would play out like that i would have got a couple hundred yards down from my caller & surprised them. That would probably have only worked for one shot since they were on edge.
The Model 12 is a 16 gauge that my dad purchased new back in 1946 he beleaves. A lightweight gun with a paper thin winchester proof steel barrel. I realy like the machine work on this gun, very well made ! No telling how many rabbit's & pheasant he took with this gun. you can see the bluing worn off from him carrying it. He only had one experience crow hunting, He remembers his hunting buddy having the stuffed owl & they went out crow hunting & dad said he went thru a box of shell's & only got one crow. That was it for him.
This will probably be my last hunt for the season, just a few day's left, bad weather and did i mention the shortage of crow's in this part of the state ! This makes 158 for the year. I wish it were 158 for the day but not the case. That's over double from last year so the trend is going in the right direction. Hopefully i can keep doubling the number's. Good Hunting, Paul
Here is a photo of Boyd and I on a goose hunt together. All Boyd shot were model 12 Winchesters. You can see him holding his trusty 12 gauge in this photo.
Love those pictures from the old day's. Boyd and my dad would have got along well, My dad swear's by the model 12 to this day. He would have never parted with this one for nothing ! His hunting partner way back in the day had a 12 gauge Ithaca. My dad said it was lightweight but had to much kick. That's why he chose the model 12 in 16 gauge. For rabbit's & pheasants he liked the 16 gauge.
I started out with a 410 single shot. I was so happy when i got my hands on his model 12. Shot my first deer with it along with my share of rabbit's , pheasant & a few ducks. So yes i have a lot of memories with it. I'm so glad i didn't tear it up or damage it when i was younger. Other than normal wear from being carried thru the thicket's it's still in tip top shape. I don't mind it being 16 gauge, the shell's are more expensive & a little harder to find but it's right in between the 12 & the 20 and i think that's a good thing. Paul
Camo, I have several 16 gauge M12's and one is the twin to yours. Manufactured in 1956, choked modified as well. Shot many crows with mine as 16 Ga M12's point like a dream for some unknown reason. 16 Gauge still a favourite, Sadly decent ammo is hard to find and it's expensive as well.
Look's like twin's to me Ted, The wood on your's isn't worn as much as mine. Yes i like the way this one shoots / fits also. When you first pick it up it feel's heavy in the stock and light at the muzzle, but after putting 5 in the tube it balances out fine for me. Glad to see others liking the model 12. Especially in 16 gauge. Paul
