Wear is limited to some finish loss on the forearm and a few scattered and relatively minor handling marks. 1963 American Rifleman Magazine: Winchester Model 25 Shotgun/Colt. The stock and forearm are in very good overall and have most of the original oil finish. The barrel and receiver markings are crisp. The buttplate has light edge wear and age spotting and retains about 85% of the blue finish. The bottom and sides of the lever show light handling wear with traces of plum brown patina. The bolt and loading gate retain nearly all of the blue finish. The finish on the top of the receiver and take-down collar is thin. The receiver has about 95% of the blue finish intact with a few minor handling marks and insignificant scratches. The adjacent portions of the magazine tube have light take-down scuff marks. The barrel band has some finish loss but retains about 75% of the blue. The balance of rifle is all original and retains 90% of the original blue finish. Very fine as partially refinished (cold blue on left side of barrel, near muzzle).
#WINCHESTER MODEL 25 VALUE SERIAL#
The serial number, "912735" is stamped across the bottom of the receiver. The Model 25 was a no-frills model and offered only in 12 gauge. Based on the Model 12 action, it was known as the poor man’s Model 12. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped: "MODEL 92/-WINCHESTER-/TRADE MARK REG. The Model 25 had a relatively short five-year production life with manufacturing beginning in 1949 and ending in 1954 with 87,937 produced. Winchester oval, "W/P" proof marks are stamped on the top of the barrel and the receiver. The caliber: "25-20 W.F.C." is roll-stamped on the left side of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. 1884." in two lines on the left side of the barrel ahead of the rear sight. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped: "MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO./NEW HAVEN.
The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut with the standard Winchester oil finish. The upper receiver tang is factory drilled and tapped for a folding combination sight.
#WINCHESTER MODEL 25 VALUE FULL#
The rifle has a 24-inch round barrel and full length magazine The barrel has the standard pattern, fixed blade, front sight with patent markings and set screw on the left side of the base and a sporting style rear sight with flat top. cartridge and Model 92 Takedown Rifles are scarce. Relatively few Model 1892 rifles were chambered for the 25-20 W.F.C. I have never had one loosen if handled carefully.Winchester Model 92 Takedown Sporting Rifle manufactured in 1921. They will loosen if the threads are not lubed with a good grease each time they are taken down. Those take up collars are scarcer than Triplelocks! There was a reason! Do not take a 12 apart more often than absolutely necessary. If you look on an old parts list for the 12, you will see that were at least six and maybe eight take up collars available, each with a range of adjustment for wear. The take down feature on pump guns is pretty much only used for cleaning, not for travel these days. It was common to travel by train on hunting and trapshooting trips, and a take down was much more convenient to transport. If you think about takedown shotguns, bear in mind that when the 12 first came out, most shooters were used to doubles and singles, that were of course takedowns.
For a brief time there was a Model 12 Lightweight version, that used a different take down design. A solid frame is a very good idea! The Model 97 was also made in take down and solid frame, although without different model numbers. Better to scant the cleaning, or clean from the muzzle than to take them apart often. He told me that of the thousands of guns he had worked, far more had gotten loose from being taken apart for cleaning than ever showed any wear from shooting. One became a little loose, so I took it to the Grand to have Stu Wright, one of the premier M12 smiths, work on it. I shot a couple of older 12's at trap for quite a few years.