Shotgun Age and Estimated Value

Question
Hello Paul:
Thank you for your prompt answer.  The barrel has stamped on it - Nickel Steel  Full Choke.  If it did not have the Poly Choke could you estimate a value
and does the Poly Choke increase or decrease the value.
Thanks again, Bob Simmons-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
My Winchester Model 12 pump has a full choke barrel with a poly choke attachment.  It is in
good condition.  Serial Number is 122631.
Can you tell me year of manufacture and estimated value?

Thank you.
Answer -
Hi
Yours was made in 1916.
A very early  model ,
Poly-Choke was created by E.F. White of Hartford, CT in the 1920's. I suspect the poly-choked barrel marked
full choke is a modification. That could dramatically
effect its value.
You would really need to have the gun appraised
by a compotent local gunsmith or gun dealer.

Answer
Hi Bob
Having it modified from the orginal condition lowers its collectors value quite a bit.
You could get some of it mach by finding a circa 1916 unmodified barrel. That might be very hard to find.
To someone buying it to shoot it would likily perfer the poly-choke. One that old is not real likily to used as shooter.
As a shooter its worth $300 to $500 depending on its condition. As a colectors ideam if orginal and excellent to perfect condition it could worth thousands.
I saw an early model H&R SINGLE SHOT BREAK-OPEN (like the H&R Topper new right now $120)
one from 1880s had a 10k price tag on it.
They got 9k for 60 days after it went on the market.

I would still have it appraised.
Its really hard to to set a value without seeing it in person
on a gun that old.
Plus there a very longshot that it is orginal.
It could an expiremental model.
Hartford (poly-choke) is a short train to New Haven (winchester)