I have owned a model 12-A .22 caliber rifle since about 1950 , it was given to me by my Uncle who purchased it new .
Due to an accident , the rear site was lost as was the original butt plate . I have recently acquired both missing parts and am in the process of restoring the rifle but I've been unable to find out the date of manufacture .
The patent dates on the barrel are "Jan. 5 ,09 - Oct. 12 , 09 - Mar. 8 , 10 -Nov. 21 , 11 - Apr. 16 1912 " . The serial number is 6316XX with the letters RW above it . On the left side of the barrel near the breach is the ,either , letter/number O with a + below and on the left side PR (a 0 over a 0) and a - sign.
I also have the , I beleive , original canvas carrying/storage case that would have come with the rifle . The rifle is still in perfect working condition and , thanks to the canvas case , shows hardly any wear and no rust .
Now my questions - Does anyone know just when this rifle would have been produced and what type of finish would have been used on the Walnut stock and SHOULD I refinish the stock as it's in remarkably good shape with just a couple very small marks in it ?
I would greatly appreciate any information that anyone can give me .
Thanks .
Model 12-A
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shot1too
If you go to the home page and click on the manufacture dates area you will see the date code. It looks like you gun may have been made in June of 1924 That is if the letters PR are the date code and not an inspectors code. You can get some basic history by going to the Remington Arms web site. Go to library and then history. There is a new book on Remington 22 rifles that would be of help. You can find information on that on the home page. In my opinion, don't do anything to the rifle except replace the missing parts. Best of luck.
M/12A
Your M/12 was made in June, 1924. I agree that you should leave the finish as-is. It sounds like you have a nice rifle...
The book shot1too mentions (thanks for the plug) will be available next month. It is actually scheduled to be printed today. It has 23 pages on the Model 12. It shows the various sights and what years they were used. Other changes are shown with the years they were made.
John Gyde
The book shot1too mentions (thanks for the plug) will be available next month. It is actually scheduled to be printed today. It has 23 pages on the Model 12. It shows the various sights and what years they were used. Other changes are shown with the years they were made.
John Gyde
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dougle4
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dougle4
Well the work is done and I want to thank everyone here who have given me their input about what to do with this gun .
I was going to have a gunsmith do the butt plate but now I'm glad I didn't , he was going to sand the stock down and completely re-finish it including re-staining it . I guess he was only thinking of it as a shooters gun not a collectable .
The replacement butt plate came a litle oversized and he told me that all replacements are that way so , thanks to my wood carving experience , I was able to match it to the stock with a little bit of effort and some 12,000 grit sanding cloth .
I tried to attach an image of the gun and it's case but no luck .
Thanks again ,
I was going to have a gunsmith do the butt plate but now I'm glad I didn't , he was going to sand the stock down and completely re-finish it including re-staining it . I guess he was only thinking of it as a shooters gun not a collectable .
The replacement butt plate came a litle oversized and he told me that all replacements are that way so , thanks to my wood carving experience , I was able to match it to the stock with a little bit of effort and some 12,000 grit sanding cloth .
I tried to attach an image of the gun and it's case but no luck .
Thanks again ,
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shot1too
I got thinking about your canvas case and remembered seeing a page on them in my early Remington catalogs. On page 88 of the 1918-19 catalog there are three types of cases discribed as "Full Length- Canvas, "Take-Down-Canvas: and "Take-Down Leather Cases. Your discription would indicate the take down canvas. The catalog says " Heavy canvas, lined, canvas bound, leather reinforced over muzzle and action, handle, outside rod pocket". It then gives a list of case by model number to mactch the model of the firearm. The model 12 case is a No. 4 K.L. I also took note that these cases are not shown in the 1923 catalog. I don't know if that means Remington didn't offer the cases anymore, or they just weren't in the catalog. If the case isn't marked with a model number or stamped Remington, I don't see how you can tell if it is Remington or not. I do see these types of cases frequently at gun showes. That leads me to think they were offered by more than one source.