winchester model 12 12 ga nickel steel

[Lot to Learn]

Had a friend bring a gun to me, he is looking to sell.  I honestly have never seen a gun like this.  I would like to buy but do not have a clue what this is worth.  Good condition, not great.  does have a touch of rust, small spot on receiver, some scratches on stock, forearm is clean. It is 3" full choke. Bottom of the barrel is stamped 403837 TRAP,     Thanks in advance. 

[Dan Salmon]

That number is not indicative, in my experience, of a Trap M12.  3" Chambers were called "Heavy Duck" guns and in good condition can bring anywhere from $600 to $1,200.  I don't think, don't know for sure, but I don't think there were any 3" guns made that were anything but "Heavy Duck" guns.

[Lot to Learn]

Dan,
I might be wrong on the 3".   I thought I read it on the barrel, but I cannot find it now, so it is probably 2 3/4".   I have been searching around and I cannot find anything that is nickel steel.

[Lot to Learn]

I am not an expert by any means, trying to learn a little here.  The number 404837 is stamped on the receiver and the barrel, so I am guessing that is the serial number?   If so I went to oldguns.net and putting that serial number in it says it was made in 1925.   I am learning it is not as valuable as I was thinking, but a really neat gun. 

[Lot to Learn]

I am quickly learning I know nothing, apparently the mod 12 didn't accept 2 3/4 until 1928.  I believe this is a black diamond trap.   It definitely has black diamonds on each side of the stock near the receiver. 

[Dan Salmon]

With Winchester, things could be ordered any way someone wanted it.  If it is a Black Diamond Trap, it could have been modified after the fact or special ordered with 3" chambers.  Anything was a possibility, the pocket book became the limiting factor. 

I agree that by the number it should be a 1925 gun.  But I would think that 2 3/4" chamber in 12 gauge was pretty much standard by then. 

[Lot to Learn]

the barrel is 28" , not vented but has a ridge running the top with a single bead site, about the size of a bb. I did not run across any black diamond with size barrel and I am questioning the bb site being original.   Do you know on the black diamond, are they diamonds just a design in the wood or are they a different material? 

[Dan Salmon]

So you have a 28" Solid Rib Full choke barrel?  There should be a set of numbers on the receiver (the one you previously found) and a matching number on the barrel/magazine, if not, the barrel/magazine is not original to the gun.  I'll try googling the combination you have and see what I can find out.  

[Lot to Learn]

the 403837, I typed 404837 earlier, is on both the receiver and the magazine so pretty sure original barrel to gun.  Thanks for you help.