Condition: Good

Winchester Model 1911SL 12ga Semi-Auto Shotgun 28” Barrel – First Year of Production, Very Low Serial

This Winchester Model 1911SL is a semi-automatic shotgun in 12 gauge. This model is something of a relic in American gunmaking, coming about out of the need to avoid patent violations. The shotgun is in Good overall condition, with finish wear visible on the receiver consistent with well over a century of life. All standard factory markings are present.

Condition

Overall Condition: Good condition, with visible finish wear on the receiver and parts of the barrel. The action appears to be in good working order.

Bore Condition: Very good – clean, bright, with no pitting.

Furniture Condition: Very Good – the wood stock and forend show nicks and dings consistent with over a century of life.

Specific Condition Notes: Fine hand-cut checkering is present on the stock and forend. No splits or deep cracks are readily apparent on the wood. The black buttplate is marked “Bishop”.

What's Included

  • Winchester Model 1911SL 12ga shotgun

The Winchester Model 1911SL was a good example of the phrase “necessity is the mother of invention”. The Browning Auto-5 had revolutionized the shotgun market nearly a decade earlier in 1903, and Winchester was keen to capture a piece of this action. In order to avoid infringing on Browning’s patent – the side charging handle in particular – Winchester developed this Model 1911. Using the same basic long recoil operation, this shotgun shares the same layout. The most infamous feature of this shotgun was its method of charging, using knurling on the barrel to cycle the action. This did avoid patent issues, but gave the gun its more familiar name, the Widowmaker, given the unsafe practices of the day to charge the weapon. This specific gun is a wonderful relic of this age, and has a very low serial number, showing manufacture in the first year of production, 1911.

This specific gun is in Good condition. The receiver shows finish wear and transformation to a plum/brown color in places. The receiver tang shows model marks, and the Winchester name. The barrel itself is the standard length of 28” and shows some finish wear and similar transformation to plum/brown. The barrel features deep knurling, as well as expected factory rollmarks indicating its caliber, manufacture, patent dates, proof marks, etc., along with a choke marking of “Full”.

The shotgun’s furniture is made of fine American walnut. The furniture is in Very Good condition, with attractive wood grain and a semi-gloss finish. The wood stock and forend do show nicks and dings consistent with over a century of life. Fine hand-cut checkering is present on the semi-pistol grip and forend. The black buttplate is marked “Bishop”.

This Winchester Model 1911SL is a fine time capsule of its era, and is in Good condition. Add this piece to your collection and it will serve well into its second century of life.

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Winchester

  • Model: 1911SL

  • Submodel: Field

  • Caliber: 12 gauge, 2 ¾” 

  • Action Type: Long recoil-operated semiautomatic

  • Locking mechanism: Sliding bolt lug

  • Firing Mechanism: Internal hammer-fired

  • Safety mechanism: Push-button

  • Magazine type: Underbarrel tube

  • Capacity: 4+1

  • Barrel Length: 28 in

  • Barrel Material: Steel

  • Barrel Features: Factory checkered barrel for charging; full choke

  • Sights: Front blade

  • Scope Mount: N/A

  • Receiver Material: Steel

  • Finish: Blued

  • Furniture: Walnut

  • Furniture Features: Beautiful American walnut; fine hand-cut checkering on semi-pistol grip and forend

  • Size: Full-size sporting shotgun

  • Country of Origin: USA

  • Year Manufactured: 1911