Winchester Model 1300 12 Gauge Serial Number Lookup

After looking in two references, I could find no serial number-year made tables for Winchester Model 1300s. All I found was that the serial numbers for the Model 1300 did start out with the alpha characters LX but that the serial numbers are all higher that 0876. The lowest number listed is 739617. I suggest you contact Winchester and ask them. Model: 1300 Field Serial Number. Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4” & 3” Shells Action Type: Pump / Slide Action, Tube-Magazine Fed Shotgun Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER MODEL 1300 DEFENDER 12GA. 2 ¾” & 3” / MADE IN NEW HAVEN CONN. WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL / WINCHOKE”, with a circled “WP” proof found.

What year was my Winchester manufactured? (Serial Number Reference)

Winchester Firearms Manufacturing Dates by Serial Number and Year 1866 through the early 1990s

Below is the download link for a special resource for dating Winchester firearms. These pages were scanned from documents compiled over the years by the customer service department of Winchester Repeating Arms. None of the page scans are of original documents but are simply transcribed information typed into a word processing program. In general, this information is the same that you would get if you called our customer service department and asked them for the information. They use these documents as a reference and the documents should be limited to that use.

Click the image below to download the PDF document containing the serial number date-range information on many Winchester firearms. You will need the Adobe Reader program to open this file. Adobe Reader is available free from Adobe.

THE HISTORY OF WINCHESTER HISTORIC SERIAL NUMBER RECORDS.
There are many “legends” about why the historic serial number records for Winchester rifles and shotguns are not complete or why they are not always verifiable. A few reasons cited are:

A fire at the factory
Inadvertent destruction (during office cleaning)
Records simply lost in filing
Records misplaced between ownership transitions
Documents borrowed but not returned

There is probably some kernel of truth to all of them. But the fact remains; there is no original, single, totally accurate database of serial numbers from 1866 forward that we are aware of. But perhaps these pages can help you somewhat in your research.

Please keep the following points in mind as you explore these pages:

Many of the Winchester brand firearms produced over the years are included, but not all. If your firearm is not listed, we probably do not have any additional information.
Before the 1990s the Winchester Repeating Arms firearms brand transferred ownership several times. Any information before the 1990s is always difficult to verify.
In general, only serial number ranges with an approximate year are provided in this document. There is no other detail beyond this that we can provide.
Since this information was provided through old documents (both official and otherwise), no representation is made that all serial number and year combinations are totally accurate.
In some exceptional cases, a more detailed, accurate determination can be made by calling the Winchester Repeating Arms Historian at the Morgan, Utah office. 800-333-3288. Ask for the Winchester Repeating Arms Historian.
For any other questions: 800.333.3288 or 801.876.2711. For Parts and Service call: 800.322.4626
For questions related to Ammunition don’t call us. Contact Winchester Ammunition directly.
No attempt has been made to determine the value of any guns listed.
The Cody Firearms Museum has more information on Winchesters produced before 1900.
This late historian George Madis compiled extensive histories on Winchester firearms. www.georgemadis.com

There are other outside resources – including the Cody Firearm Museum -- which can be excellent for determining date of manufacture and value: Click here to go to our gun values resource links.

Click below to download a PDF overview of Cody Museum serial number resources.

(Please remember that this information is a compilation over time -- collected from secondhand information. No confidentail records were used. We reserve the right to make changes at any time and make no claims as to accuracy. No attempt has been made to determine the value of any Winchester products.)

This is a discussion on Winchester Model 1300? within the Ruger Shotguns forums, part of the Rifle & Shotgun Forum category; Hey Guys! I just bought a Winchester 1300 a couple days ago, and I'm curious about what trim or model 1300 it maybe. The people ...

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November 10th, 2015, 07:32 AM

Location: West Bend, WI

Winchester Model 1300?

Hey Guys! I just bought a Winchester 1300 a couple days ago, and I'm curious about what trim or model 1300 it maybe. The people on this forum seem to get information to you quick to you and are very knowledgeable so I like to post here.
I looked up the serial number and it said it was manufactured in 1989. It came with two barrels: (1)Bird barrel and (1) Deer barrel. but IDK if they both originally came with the shotgun. It looks like it's never been shot when I took it apart and cleaned it, and it's in almost perfect shape. Any information would be great!

Attached Images

Win1300.jpg (2.33 MB, 61 views)

Win1300SN.jpg (1.46 MB, 32 views)

November 10th, 2015, 12:13 PM	#2
Location: Colorado	I cant tell you model stuff but I can tell you that I have put many thousands of rounds through mine with not one issue! LOVE my 1300.

November 10th, 2015, 02:01 PM

Retired Moderator & Gunsmith

Location: CB, IA

Awards Showcase

WISecuritySix, There were 33 different Model 1300 variations. By process of elimination, many of the variations are obviously not your gun. Not stainless (4 models), not a Defender (9 models), not Camo (6 models), not a Black Shadow (4 models) ... that leaves 10 more. It's not a Ranger Compact (3 models), not an Upland (1 model) .... down to 6.
It could be a Walnut Field, Ranger Gloss, Sporting Field, Ranger, Ranger Deer, or an Upland Special.
Model 1300s are a basic pump action shotgun ... made to last. They were normally sold with just one barrel. Yours could have been a Ranger Deer then a conventional barrel was added or it may have been one of the remaining 5 models with an added deer barrel. The most popular 1300s were the Ranger but your photo isn't good enough to confirm. It really doesn't matter ... you have a very nice combo that is very sought after. The only model that has a higher value is the Walnut Field.

November 10th, 2015, 02:29 PM

Moderator

Location: NH, USA.

I bought mine around 1993 and it had the rifled deer BBL only. I later added a field BBL for turkey hunting. I also mounted a scope as it's D&T'ed but the problem was I had to keep changing the scope settings. I would zero for slugs and then change the BBL for turkey in the spring and readjust the scope. In the fall I would rezero the slug BBL but at $11 for 5 saboted slugs that got expensive. The deer BBL was finicky and the only slug I found that would give decent accuracy was Federal Premium 3' saboted slugs. In addition the 3' slug recoil was never fun off the bench.
The local WalMart was going out of the firearm business about 10 years ago and I was able to pick up an 870 Supermag on sale for $199 and at that time Remington was offering a $50 rebate so I got the 870 for $149 net. I then sold the 1300's field BBL for $125 and have a dedicated slug gun and a turkey/waterfowl gun. The 1300 will do it's job as the largest deer (an 11 pointer) I have gotten was with it.
The only advice I can offer is if you strip it down heed the manuals warning about reattaching the end cap once the BBL is off. I didn't and the retainer and spring launched. The spring was easy to find but the retainer took me several hours of hunting for it and found it with dumb luck when I was about to give up.

Last edited by terry_p; November 10th, 2015 at 02:37 PM.

November 10th, 2015, 03:33 PM

'The Real Deal'

Location: Back woods of North Carolina

I agree with the above, I got my 1300 ranger around that time as a gift, maybe 1990 or so. Never one issue with it, and one of my favorites of all time, even above my remy 870 express. I actually have been after the same model in a defender with the similiar ribbed blonde wood, seen a few just haven't found one in the condition I want yet. Enjoy it, its a greater pointer, dove clipper, or skeet gun. I actually prefer it for shooting skeet over an auto.

November 10th, 2015, 04:36 PM

Location: West Bend, WI

Thanks for the information guys! Terry, I did not know that it could just fly out like that! Lowegan, I don't think it a Upland Special, because they don't have pistol grip on the rear stock. The Upland Special has an English style rear stock that goes straight back. It's not the Sporting Field, because it doesn't have a true glow front sight. From doing a little research, I kinda boiled it down to the Ranger models or the Walnut Field. If it is a Ranger, would it say it on the barrel? Neither barrels have the word 'RANGER' on it, and the couple I have seen have it on the barrel. What would I need to take a picture of to confirm that it's a Ranger model? I really appreciate the help!

November 10th, 2015, 04:44 PM	#7
Location: West Bend, WI	The thing that throws me for a curve ball is that front grip, because it isn't the ribbed one and it's not that standard grip you see most of the time.

November 10th, 2015, 06:09 PM

'The Real Deal'

Location: Back woods of North Carolina

Originally Posted by WISecuritySix

Best I remember mine has ranger on the barrel, will check tomorrow, but I believe it does.

November 11th, 2015, 02:56 AM	#9
Location: West Bend, WI	I was kinda thinking it wasn't a Ranger, because it wasn't on the barrel.

November 11th, 2015, 09:02 AM

#10

Retired Moderator & Gunsmith

Location: CB, IA

Awards Showcase

WISecuritySix, Don't bet on the barrel being marked. Why? Winchester made Rangers as an OEM for several different companies. Your rifle barrel is a 'Ranger Deer' and may have been the factory barrel on your receiver.
The Walnut Field has a real walnut stock versus all other wood stock models have stained hardwood that looks like walnut. The Ranger 'Gloss' has a highly polished receiver ... your appear to be the standard finish. This pretty much eliminates everything but a Ranger (unless your has a walnut stock). Other that a curiosity factor, it really doesn't matter because barrels are interchangeable between all 1300 models and internal parts are identical (except stainless steel models have stainless steel internal parts, which yours is NOT). Even the stocks are interchangeable.

November 11th, 2015, 07:17 PM	#11
Location: West Bend, WI	Either way, I'm happy with the shotgun! Thanks for the information guys!