I gotta tell you the whole story; gonna try to keep it brief.
About 1988-1990 my Dad bought a 28 gauge mod. 12 trap for what I recall $1900 (excellant cond). Right off the bat it was my favorite of his collection and as I matured I told him I wanted this gun one day.
Jump to 2008. My Dad had a stroke followed by surgery that left him totally unable to talk, walk, or move his right arm. Thank GOD he regained almost all his physical abilities and was left with only diminished memory and judgement fumctions.
I found out last week that about a month ago he sold the 28 to a lifelong friend of our family who is an avid Winchester collector. The story went something like this:
They happened to meet a a local coffee spot, the conversation turned to guns and the question was posed to my Dad. "What would you take for the 28" (this person has known for decades about the gun), Dad says $1000 and a check is written. Done deal.
I find out about this last weekend and express my disappointment to my Dad reminding him of my desire for the gun. I then call the purchaser and ask him "Would you take your money back for it?" He responds with "I would but its an counterfiet and we been shooting it. I bought a reloader for it and we enjoy shooting it." He proceeds to explain why he believes the gun has been faked. 1. it doesn't have made in New Haven Conn. 2. it doesn't have the circled wp Winchester proof mark 3. the font for the serial numbers is off just a bit between the barrel and receiver.
To the Mod. 12 experts out here. Does this story hold water? I did find some info on fake 28/12's but from looking at my mod 12's and mod. 42 there seems to a great deal of inconsistency on Winchesters part. That or Ive got a couple fake guns in my safe. Some say New Haven, some only say "made in USA". One gun without a rib has the proof mark, another with a rib has none unless the rib is covering the mark.
Until I get to look at the gun again, I am inclined to believe that a person who will take advantage of an elderly man's diminished mental capacities will/can come up with a story to justifiy it. It's not the gun being fake, its the premise under which he bought it; $3000 gun for $1000. Anybody who knows my Dad knows that five years ago he never would have made that deal. If it is a fake then he got exactly what he deserves (karma is a Bitch), however his greatest loss is the RESPECT & FRIENDSHIP of several people. I'm not mad about this as much as I am hurt by the fact that he would do this to my Dad.
Thanks for any clarity you can offer on this gun.
Kevin
About 1988-1990 my Dad bought a 28 gauge mod. 12 trap for what I recall $1900 (excellant cond). Right off the bat it was my favorite of his collection and as I matured I told him I wanted this gun one day.
Jump to 2008. My Dad had a stroke followed by surgery that left him totally unable to talk, walk, or move his right arm. Thank GOD he regained almost all his physical abilities and was left with only diminished memory and judgement fumctions.
I found out last week that about a month ago he sold the 28 to a lifelong friend of our family who is an avid Winchester collector. The story went something like this:
They happened to meet a a local coffee spot, the conversation turned to guns and the question was posed to my Dad. "What would you take for the 28" (this person has known for decades about the gun), Dad says $1000 and a check is written. Done deal.
I find out about this last weekend and express my disappointment to my Dad reminding him of my desire for the gun. I then call the purchaser and ask him "Would you take your money back for it?" He responds with "I would but its an counterfiet and we been shooting it. I bought a reloader for it and we enjoy shooting it." He proceeds to explain why he believes the gun has been faked. 1. it doesn't have made in New Haven Conn. 2. it doesn't have the circled wp Winchester proof mark 3. the font for the serial numbers is off just a bit between the barrel and receiver.
To the Mod. 12 experts out here. Does this story hold water? I did find some info on fake 28/12's but from looking at my mod 12's and mod. 42 there seems to a great deal of inconsistency on Winchesters part. That or Ive got a couple fake guns in my safe. Some say New Haven, some only say "made in USA". One gun without a rib has the proof mark, another with a rib has none unless the rib is covering the mark.
Until I get to look at the gun again, I am inclined to believe that a person who will take advantage of an elderly man's diminished mental capacities will/can come up with a story to justifiy it. It's not the gun being fake, its the premise under which he bought it; $3000 gun for $1000. Anybody who knows my Dad knows that five years ago he never would have made that deal. If it is a fake then he got exactly what he deserves (karma is a Bitch), however his greatest loss is the RESPECT & FRIENDSHIP of several people. I'm not mad about this as much as I am hurt by the fact that he would do this to my Dad.
Thanks for any clarity you can offer on this gun.
Kevin
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