[dolphin77]

I've been looking thur the books I have and trying to figure out this...in 1939 the words "MODEL-12-TRAP" were stamped on the bottom of the receiver extension.....did this indicate a Trap gun or a "trap grade" gun? Where was the "pigeon" located on the gun if "MODEL-12-TRAP" was stamped there? Last question..I recently saw a M-12 Super Speed 3 inch with a solid rib at a gun show, is this a collectable combination? Thanks, WC

 

[eightbore]

The ones marked Model 12 Trap lengthwise on the extension prewar are Trap Grade guns, available in other special order configurations. Standard Trap Grade guns were similarly marked. Prewar Pigeon Grades did not have pigeons engraved on the extension. Prewar Pigeon Grades normally included a reversed #5 engraving pattern. Unengraved prewar Pigeons would be hard to identify, but they were available. I assume they look exactly like Trap Grade guns, even down to the checkering pattern. I have both Pigeon and Trap Grade prewar Model 12s and the wood and checkering seems to be identical. I think the transition to the postwar type Pigeon Grade may have been shortly before the war, not sure.

 

[dolphin77]

ttt