Yes, it was made by Olin-Kodensha. The Repro Steel Shot Specials are expensive because there were fewer 12ga Repros made than either 20's or 28's, and the Steel Shot Specials are a tiny minority of that number. But if you get a 12ga Repro choked IC/M, you're OK with steel shot. The original guidance on those guns, from the maker, was that they were OK with steel unless they were choked full.
I don't know what Heavy Ducks are going for. Personally, because I like the Repro single trigger better than the 23 single trigger, I'd go with a Repro. But if you're thinking waterfowl hunting, it's not all that easy to find a 12ga Repro with 28" barrels choked IC/M. I have one, but they're a real minority. Most are M/F.
