Interesting to note the 1960 prices of the Model 70 and the Model 12 ($129.95, including .375 H&H, and $104.95, respectively, lowest grade listed in Stoeger catalog). Oh, and the field grade Model 42 was $97.95.

Both are arguably the best of their types, yet the Model 70 prices today are much higher than those for the Model 12 (12 gauge). It seems to me that the Model 12s are real sleepers today, usually for well under $500 in pretty good shape.

Just pining for the old days...

Could be do the fact there were over 2 million model 12's manufactured compared to just over a half million 70's.
Steve

That's likely true. Still amazing to me that so many tremendous Model 12s sit lonely on used racks for less than half of the price of a plastic stocked super wizz bang auto that can shoot 4 1/2" shells.

Sad part is that those plastic stocked auto's will have been melted down and reprocessed several times because they have worn out while the model 12 will never have been touched and shoot as well as ever!
Steve

GFI;

If you know of any clean Model 12's sitting lonely on a dealer's rack, please point me in that direction....

Cabela's in Boise, just to name one spot. They had several for under $500, a number of used but nice under $400 a few weeks ago.

The collector market for field grade 12s is limited to mint guns.

Lots of M12's in Md, Pa, and Va. See them in 12 and 16 ga. all the time.
However, ones in good shape go for $500 around here.
Now 20ga. is a different story. Never seen one in 28 ga.

GFI:

Thanks!