Does this gun by chance have a Simmons rib on it???? I have quite a few Model 12's and even some Model 42's...the only ones that do not have the PW mark on neither the receiver nor the barrel is the ones with Simmons ribs. I don't know about "polishing" it off...that proof mark seems like it is stamped extra deep on every Winchester I have. I think if somebody was to polish it off they would really have to be in love with having it gone. So much so that I believe you would almost have to see where the polishing was done. It would be hard to take off that much metal and keep the contours of the barrel and receiver perfect or at least good enough to not be noticeable.
