I've only seen a few Model 12 Featherweights and I have never shot one. Really interesting to see a real weight comparison. Thank you for sharing!

I enjoy watching all your videos because they are full of information and soothing on my nerves. Your videos are relaxing to watch.

They don’t make shotguns that look this good anymore.

great video!  I've been shooting model 12's since about 1972, yet had NEVER, ever heard of the Featherweight model until sometime in the 90's, when a buddy of mine showed me his.  So, I think you're absolutely right to call it the "forgotten model 12'.  It's designed very much like the old model 25 ... which was an economical, non-takedown pump gun ... which at first glance appeared like a M-12 and which Winchester produced for only a few, short years.  And just like on the model 25 ... the action bar on the "M12 Featherweight" entered through a slot on the right-hand side of the receiver in order to connect with the bolt.
But unlike its model 25 predecessor ... the end of the "featherweight's" magazine tube was threaded and engineered to allow (much like the Ithaca M-37 was) the complete removal of the barrel.  
And unlike the economical, model 25 ... which wasn't polished and finished to the same degree as a standard model 12 ... the "Featherweight" model 12 guns actually were.  They were all very nice to look at.  I was fortunate enough to finally add a Featherweight M12 to my collection about 1-yr ago, and I can count on just 2-fingers the total number of Featherweights I've ever encountered for sale at gun shows or local gun shops.  They're one of those "under the radar" Model 12's that most people don't realize exists out there.  
   And no doubt, lots of folks will likely scoff at the 8oz's or so of weight saving (with the Featherweight model) ... but at the end of a long day of pheasant hunting, 8oz's feels more like 1-lb.  Possibly comparable to carrying a 16ga or 20ga M-12  instead.   Yep, and when 1964 finally came around, Winchester shotguns would never be the same.

I have an identical 12 featherweight.  It is exactly the same.

Great video. I have one in 16ga made in 1922. It's a breakdown shotgun.

Awesome video . I am 63 now . My Dad gave it to me when I was 15 . It was always just for Partridge hunting at camp ( Espanola , Ontario ) . It is a true Featherweight , and has been spoiled rotten it's whole life . It is basically mint . We just learned to take care of things , and they will last a long time . P.S. , You are a good shot . Thanks Again . OH , I forgot , my Dad use to brag that it was known as " The Perfect Repeater " .

I have this gun, my grandfather bought it in 1978 in india

Very Nice Acquisition 😊😀😊😇

I went to an Estate Sale there was a Mod12 that was in bad shape I bought it for $80 took it to a gun shop and they set it right for $140.00.  Shot skeet with it and it is in my safe with my other 5 Model 12s

Muy fácinantes arma belleza reliquia buenos videos 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨💪

What a beautiful shotgun! I'm in my 60's and just over the last year discovered the model 12. I've been fortunate enough to find nice low round examples in 12ga and 16ga, which is my favorite so far. 1954 and 1948 production. I'm enjoying your videos and learn something new from each one. Thanks!

I removed the plug from mine so I can get up to 4+1. I don’t use it to hunt at all. Just for shooting clays.

I have a Winchester Model 12 Featherweight that I bought in 2014 from the original owner. I was 18 years old at the time. The original owner bought it in 1960 when he was 18 years old. I paid $250 for it in 2014 which I think was a decent price. Mines in good condition but not exactly mint perfect. The bluing does have some wear and a minor scuff or scratch here and there. Mine also has a hairline crack in the wooden pump handle. The rear stock wood is in perfect or near perfect condition however I don’t think the butt plate is original. It’s not the hard rubber one like yours. It’s black plastic and says Winchester Repeating Arms. The original owner also added a Simmons vented rib on top of the barrel. From what I’ve read about them, if the source is true, Winchester started manufacturing them around February or March of 1958 and stopped manufacturing them around March or April of 1959. That was the production period Winchester made them but the last of them didn’t actually leave the Winchester Factory until 1962. So some sources will say the Featherweight Model 12 was produced from 1959-1962 even though all Winchester Model 12 Featherweights were manufactured in roughly a one year time frame from 1958-1959. From what I’ve read, just a little over 52,000 of them were produced. Which is a relatively low number considering Winchester produced about 2,000,000 Model 12’s in total between 1912-1964. The beginning production numbers for the Model 12 Featherweight started in 179 and ended in 184 by the end of production. Mines a lower production serial number. Don’t know if the value will ever really take off just due to it’s rarity but it is a unique Model as far as Model 12’s go. I’ve occasionally seen them on gunbroker going for anywhere from $500 up to $1,000 or more.. I’ve considered getting a standard Model 12 to have along side this one but even if I got a standard Model I doubt I would ever sell this one. They’re definitely classics and a favorite of mine. Edit, also wanted to add that mine has a 30” barrel as well. Not sure if the Featherweight Model was only manufactured with a 30” barrel or if 28” and other barrel lengths were available or not.

Very cool find!  I found online a few months ago a Winchester Model 25 for a very good price.   But I was looking for a SXS shotgun, so I forgot about it.  Last week, I remembered, and looked again for it.  To my surprise, it was still available.

Asked the seller if he could give me a better offer, and told me he'll sell it for 250 shipped.  Of course I bought it!  It's already on the mail.

About the FW, I learned about them a few years ago while looking for info about the Model 12.  But I've never seen any in person.  I'm very interested in buying one, cause I love the Model 12s.  Would like a Heavy Duck too.

Do you know if all FW came with plain barrels?

in the shell tube with the spring made of wood my 12 GA was made in 1960 the year i was born

my model 12 featherweight 12 GA has a pug and has mode 12 featherweight 12 GA  stamp right on the plug