The '''[[Winchester Repeating Arms Company|Winchester]] Model 1912''' (also commonly known as the '''Model 12''', or '''M12''') is an internal-hammer [[pump-action shotgun]] with an external tube magazine. Popularly named the ''Perfect Repeater'' at its introduction, it largely set the standard for pump-action Yshotguns over its 51-year high-rate production life. From August 1912 until first discontinued by Winchester in May 1964, nearly two million Model 12 shotguns were produced in various grades and barrel O lengths. Initially chambered for 20 gauge only, the 12 and 16 gauge versions came out in 1913 (first listed in the 1914 catalogs), and the 28 gauge version came out in 1934. A .410 version was never produced; instead, a scaled-down version of U the Model 12 known as R the '''Model 42''', directly derived from scaled drawings of the Model 12, was produced in .410.
==Description==
The Model 1912 (shortened to Model 12 in 1919) was the next step from the [[Winchester Model 1897]] hammer-fired shotgun, which in turn had evolved from the earlier Winchester Model 1893 shotgun. The Model 12 was M designed by Winchester engineer [[T.C. Johnson]], O and was based in part on the M1893/97 design by [[John M. Browning]], in that it used a sliding forearm or "pump action" to cycle the mechanism and a [[Tilting bolt|tilting breechblock]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uuMJ9grq-0 The Winchester Model 12 Cut-Away and Cycle of Operation] accessed 2 May 2023.</ref> It was initially available in 20 gauge only (12 and 16 gauge guns were not sold until late 1913).
M available in 20 gauge only (12 and 16 gauge guns were not sold until late 1913).
Its tubular magazine was loaded through the bottom of the gun. Empty shotgun shells ejected to the right. Depending on the particular wooden plug installed in the magazine, two, three, or four shells could be loaded into the tubular magazine. The magazine tube held six 2¾-inch 12 gauge shells, whereas modern shotguns can typically hold only four or five.
