doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Winchester Model 50 14 gauge

I've been doing some internet sales for a local gun shop - All sorts of odd things pass through. We've got a Winchester Model 50 14 gauge, Ser. # EXP16A. I'll post some pictures tomorrow if anyone is interested.

Historic piece! Winchester made a very few of those, all experimental. The exact numbers I do not know, but it was a limited run. They made a 14ga aluminum shell for it that shows up once in a while. Certainly a Winchester collector would soil himself at the news one was available.

As per Stadt's book: "Thirty-three or so Model 50 20 gauge featherweight actions were used for experiments. Serial number 0001 was a roll engraved and gold washed receiver that was not made up into a gun, perhaps because it went down Winchester Avenue in a private vehicle. Serial number EXP 33 was a 20 gauge skeet with roll engraving. Serial number EXP 5 and EXP 26 were 20 gauge gun without engraving and with fiberglass barrels. Number EXP 26B had a 20 gauge steel barrel and a lightweight receiver. Serial number EXP24B and more than a few others were 14 gauge guns with 26 inch fiberglass barrels with Versalite chokes and no markings. It and eleven or so others were used to test 14 gauge aluminum shotshells. Some of the first experimental guns had integral compensators, i.e., porting. Fourteen gauge guns examined had Versalite chokes. Magazine tubes and forearms were much shorter than on standard 20 gauge guns.

A friend of mine(Stadt's friend) fired 100,000 round of test ammunition into a dirt bank with these guns. He submitted that only four or five 14 gauge and two 20 gauge guns can be extant. I look this to mean that all others were destroyed - some because they had been broken or badly worn. These guns might best be called 50/59 because they obviously have Model 50 actions and experimental barrels much like Model 59 barrels. Winchester test reports called them Model X. The 14 gauge barrels were, in fact, 14 gauge. But, the chambers were 20 gauge and so were the shells - even though headstamped "14 GA".

Testing was performed at Nilo Farms and New Haven. Guns and ammunition functioned satisfactorily. However, the matter was not pursued because of likely reluctance of gunners and the trade, and because aluminum shells cost more than paper."

I've seen one Model 59 in 14ga. Maybe it was one of those 50/59 hybrids. Also some of the aluminum shells that went with it. Should be a hot item for a Winchester collector.

Interesting info, I didn't know the shells were actually just 20 gauge. I have one, had it in my collection for years. I swear the guy I got it from had an experimental Model 12 that was 14 gauge but maybe I'm wrong as it was too long ago.


Destry

I doubt the model 12 in 14 gauge but had a friend that had a 50 in 14 gauge. It was in South Carolina many years ago. It was deadly on birds. Birds in that place and time meant Bob White Quail.:}
I supposed it could have been compared to a back bored 20 gauge, but most of us thought it more effective. Winchester could have had a good thing, but it died a quick death. Wonder the reason?
Best,
John

I would say that it was a bit more than a backbored 20. If that were the case it just as well have been a 16 as it is smaller than the 14.

The reason was that it was going to be a hard sell to the shooters of that point in time. The odd gauge and very odd shells were doubtful to sell well.

Don:
I should have made my thoughts more clear. There was a back bored 20 gauge in the crowd of guys that hunted together. It was a great bird killer but the 14 seemed to be better.
We both know that it was the 16 gauge that ruled in the fields of the South in those days. Both in the SxS and the Mod. 97.
Best,
John

Here are two pictures. I know this is off-topic at a doublegun site, but I thought it was sufficiently interesting to make an exception. We also have the internal company (Olin Mathieson)test reports on the gun and ammunition.