Does anyone out there know where I can go to obtain info. on age and value of a Winchester 1200? I saw this gun in a pawnshop and was just interested learning more about it. Are there any websites that anyone knows of that may help me, or is there a member on this group that is famaliar with this gun. thanks bj

A friend brought by a J. C. Higgins model 85 pistol for me to see if I can make a new grip for it. The old one is broken and melted (plastic). It is a one piece grip that wraps around the back and both sides. It is 1 1/4 thick grip with a notch about 5/8 cut in the middle for the magazine to fit through. A 3 sided type thing. Anyways what wood would be best to use to fashion a new grip? Something hard as it needs to take the heat but not so hard I cannot put checkering and maybe a custom engraving into it. The thumb slot is not important to him so I can either leave it off or include it. So that would take some off the thickness if I leave it off. He really doesn't plan to shoot it much but I still want it to hold up if he does decide to shoot it. It appears from my web searching that the melting and breaking of the grip is a common problem. All the gun dealers say they cannot get new grips for it as it was made around 1943. Sorry so long winded. What wood do I need to use and sealer?