Winchester Model 1300 Serial Number Lookup
Cannot find definite info anywhere on how to tell the difference. 'Defender, 12ga, 2 3/4 and 3' rollmark on barrel. 7 round tube capacity.
Winchester Model 100 Serial Number Lookup
Just read with total disappontment on thehighroad.org that winchester is going to discontinue these three classics. To make them. FN is already making their own version of the 1300 defender. Anyone know a website that allows lookup of serial numbers to get production dates and posibly the value. Model 1200 serial number 137965 is definitely pre-1968, most likely late 1964 or early 1965. As I mentioned earlier in this topic, the 'L' prefix was added in late 1968 to be in compliance with the Gun Control Act (GCA) enacted in November of 1968. Any Model 1200 found without an 'L' prefix predate November 1968.
Winchester Shotgun Serial Number Lookup
Blued 18' barrel. Does say 'mfg by US Repeating Arms' on the rubber butt plate and That is my only clue that it might be a 1300. Is there anyway to tell for sure?
S/N is L2052XXX which, if it is after 1981, would also indicate a 1300. Anyone find a site to date these guns by serial number? Main reason for wanting to be sure is I believe the bolt comes out of the receiver different, or is mounted different on both models.
Any help appreciated. Had a lot of time on my hands so after a lot of searching/reading here's what I found out about the DEFENDER models: Looks like I have an early 1300: The 1200 and the early 1300's had a screw in the top of the slide arm bridge-later 1300's no screw. The early 1300 was not roll marked '1300' just 'Defender, 12ga, 2 3/4 and 3.'
The 1200 shot 2 3/4 shells and the later 1200's also had a 3' magnum model. Big difference was the firing pin. The 1200 firing pin had a smooth, almost tear drop shaped head and the 1300 had a ringed end (like an SKS piston head) The 1300 also had a different recoil pad on the butt stock like the fancier checkered stock/forearm model 1300's had. The 1200 had a plain recoil pad. The 1300 recoil pad end is stamped US Repeating Arms which indicates a 1300 as 1200's were discontinued around 1980 when USRAC took over and started making 1300's. Can't tell for sure but the later 1300's may have a spring on the front (bolt end) of the ejector instead, or as well as, the little spring on the other end.
Also may have a screw holding it to the bolt assembly but that is real fuzzy info. As far as dating these models via the serial number-could find nothing.