Condition: Excellent

Smith & Wesson Model 1000 12ga Semi-Auto Skeet Shotgun 21” Barrel – 1970s/Early 80s Japanese Produced

On consignment, we have a very well-preserved Smith & Wesson Model 1000 shotgun in 12 gauge. Coming from a unique time in American gunmaking, this shotgun was produced by Howa in Japan under Smith & Wesson supervision. This particular example was customized into an ideal skeet gun, having a large Cutts-type compensator installed on a cut-down barrel for better mobility. The shotgun is in Excellent overall condition, with very little wear despite its age. All standard factory markings are present.

Condition

Overall Condition: Excellent condition, with very little wear on the metal finish or the wood furniture. The action appears to be in perfect working order.

Bore Condition: Excellent – clean, bright, with no pitting.

Furniture Condition: Excellent – the original wood stock and forend show only very minor handling marks from nearly 50 years of life.

Specific Condition Notes: The large Cutts-type compensator seems to have been professionally installed, given the ideal alignment with the vent rib.

What's Included

  • Smith & Wesson Model 1000 12ga shotgun

This particular piece came about at an interesting moment in American gunmaking. The 1960s had seen major revisions to flagship American guns like the Winchester Model 70 and many others due to skyrocketing labor costs, and gunmakers were keen to bring quality, affordable guns to market. During the early 1970s, Smith & Wesson stepped out of their usual handgun market and contracted with Howa Machinery, Ltd. to produce the Model 1000 semi-auto shotgun. Running from 1973, the Model 1000’s production ended in 1985. Since then, these models have become somewhat of a sleeper, offering excellent build quality and performance at a surprising price. Their gas operation tames recoil and allows for longer shooting sessions.

Japanese machining has always been top notch, and this example is no different. This shotgun offers a familiar layout for American clay shooters used to self-loading shotguns, with the usual tube magazine, side-mounted charging handle, a left-side bolt release button, and a push-button safety in the trigger guard. The Model 1000 is a gas-operated shotgun, not unlike its contemporary Remington 1100. Two small ports in the barrel channel gas against an operating rod that moves the bolt rearward and unlocks the sliding bolt lug out of its locking recess.

Smith designed these guns both be beautiful as well as tough and durable. The delicate scroll engraving on the aluminum receiver is paired with chrome plating on the bolt, gas piston, trigger, and other small parts to give this gun a very long service life. Additionally, the barrel is made of high-quality chromium-molybdenum (chromoly) steel alloy for higher strength.

As to this example specifically, it is in Excellent condition. Based on the “Skeet” marking on the barrel, we believe this model to have been specialized for that sport. Many features are present for the benefit of the shooter that point towards a fine attention to detail. The aluminum receiver and steel barrel still wear their original finish and show scant trace of wear. The wood stock and forend similarly show only minor nicks and dings over their 50-odd year life. The vent rib on the barrel is also finely checkered to eliminate glare. Front and mid-beads are present for natural alignment when pointing the weapon. The barrel itself has been cut down to 21”, and a large Cutts-type compensator has been fitted to the muzzle to reduce climb for skeet. A choke marked “90” is fitted to the end of the compensator. The barrel features expected factory rollmarks indicating its caliber, manufacture, etc.

The shotgun’s furniture is factory standard for skeet guns, to the best of our knowledge. The stock has a wonderful semi-gloss finish and features a Monte Carlo-type raised comb with a drop at the heel for quicker mounting. The semi-pistol grip has beautiful skip-line checkering, and a thin white spacer for its clean wooden endcap. The buttpad is a thick red rubber affair, again well-suited for longer shooting sessions. The gun’s wooden forend is also in Excellent condition, with no cracks visible. Fine checkering is present for a sure grip.

This Smith & Wesson Model 1000 is a wonderful time capsule of its era, and stands as a testament to its previous owner’s devotion to the shotgun sports, and is in excellent condition. Without a doubt, it will serve its next owner on the range for many years to come!

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson/Howa Machinery, Ltd.

  • Model: 1000

  • Submodel: Skeet

  • Caliber: 12 gauge, 2 ¾”

  • Action Type: Gas-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: 25.5” total with Cutts-type compensator; 21” without

  • Barrel Material: Chrome-Moly Steel Alloy

  • Barrel Features: Factory checkered vent rib; aftermarket Cutts-type compensator

  • Sights: Front and mid brass bead

  • Scope Mount: N/A

  • Receiver Material: Aluminum

  • Finish: Blued

  • Furniture: Factory standard

  • Furniture Features: Thick red rubber buttpad; wood grip cap; skip line checkering on semi-pistol grip; fine checkering on forend

  • Size: Full-size sporting shotgun

  • Country of Origin: Japan

  • Year Manufactured: Late 1970s-Early 1980s