Went to a giant flea market/gun show this weekend. The flea market really was selling fleas, bedbugs, corndogs, and a few thousand beat up old Mossberg 500's, at above new retail price. On the way home, I pulled into a garage sale very close to where I live, and there is a small table with about 5 old wall hangers on it, AND one small shotty. Turns out to be a Winchester Model 12 in 16 gauge. it's been re-blued (with something), but the wood and metal is very nice, and the bore is like a mirror. Looked up the serial number and it is a 1940 model. There is no bead on the 26" barrel. Was that common? I'm not a big shotgun guy, and I've only owned a handful of Remington 870 and Ithaca 37 models.
After looking at a number of pics online yesterday, I can only assume that someone shortened the barrel, and did not install a bead- crap. I'll have to see how it patterns and decide whether to add a bead, or just get creative and go tactical with the poor ole thing.
