What is the value of a Winchester 12 gauge automatic model 1911 Sl with a sliding barrel to open the chamber?

Answer 1

The 1911SL (self-loading) was an interesting project in how to fail. Winchester up to about 1902 had been enjoying a rather profitable arrangement with John Browning to produce guns of his design. When Browning approached Winchester with the prototype of his repeating shotgun (now known as the Auto-5), Winchester.... passed. Browning packed the prototype over to Belgium and FN jumped on the opportunity. Winchester was left sucking wind, and since Winchester's own lawyers had helped write the patents they were stuck having to design around Browning. Winchester had a firearm design guru of their own, TC Johnson (think Model 12, Model 63, etc) and he grunted out the Model 1911SL along the same lines as the Model 1907 rifle. The 1911 was absolutely plagued with problems from the start. There is a system of buffers used to slow bolt travel and over time with oil and solvents these buffers break down and the subsequent vicious recoil will split the laminated birch stocks. Model 1911SL guns are typically found in very well-used condition, often with split stocks. In that condition, they rarely bring $200. However, in excellent condition (rare) they are collectable and can bring several hundred dollars more. Special deluxe and engraved models do exist - over a thousand bucks in excellent condition. sales@countrygunsmith.net