Universal Shotgun model 7512

[pinkerpv]

I have a friend whose deceased father in law had a gun collection with a Universal brand semi auto 12 Gauge shotgun. The box says Universal Sporting Goods, Inc , Miami, FL. The logo on the box is the same as the Universal Logo for the M1 30 Cal carbine made by Universal, so I guess it is the same company although the carbine address is Hialeah, FL. Model number is 7512, hardwood stock and forearm, 2 bbls. Its looks brand new and the box looks new. My friend believes that it has never been fired. This is according to what his FIL told him earlier and is in keeping with the other guns in the collection. There is one glossy sheet with a parts diagram but no owners manual or any other paperwork.The shotgun is probably 15-20 years old judging by some of the other guns in the collection, but that is just a guess. The recoil pad reads "Weatherby" in faint script.. Japan is written on the barrel along with the other normal inscriptions. The SN is 00944B. 28 inch modified choke bbl and another bbl in a closed box. The Shotgun has a very shiny bolt, chrome or stainless. Looks similar to a Rem 1100/1187. Not the same quality.

He has info that is cost $212 new. What is it worth now?

[Xracer]

Hi pinkerpv.....welcome to TFF.

Universal Firearms was a division of Iver Johnson Arms, formed in 1982. They made (or imported) a number of shotguns and M1 Carbine copies.

Both the Blue Book and the Standard Catalog of Firearms list a number of their shotguns, but all are O/U's or SxS's.....Model #s 7312, 7412, 7712, 7812, etc......but no Model 7512, and no semi-autos.

I'll keep looking and see if I can dig up something else....

[pinkerpv]

Appreciate anything you can dig up. I had previously contacted the Blue Book guys and gave them the same info I gave you. They couldn't find anything and asked for pictures. I took them but have not uploaded them to my computer. Need to reinstall the camera SW. When I do, I will post them.

[b.goforth]

in the 1970's universal firearms co. (manufacturer of the 30 caliber carbines) formed the universal sporting goods co. as an enity to import firearms. their shotguns were all given the brand names of "auto wing", "single wing" and so forth, they imported just about every type of shotgun and not all were from the same manufacturer. from the markings on the barrel your semi was manufactured in japan but from the pictures shown in the "gun digest book of modern gun values" 11th edition the semi-auto looks like an italian design by breda. these shotguns were imported between 1970 and 1974.

iver johnson did not enter the univeral picture until 1985/1986 when they purchased what was left of the company (they listed the universal carbines in their catalog for one year only 1986) and have no connection with these earlier imported shotguns. iver johnson was also having money trouble in 1985 but they purchased univeral so no one else would buy them and become a competitor in carbine manufacturing. by 1991 iver johnson had ceased all manufacturing themselves and early in 1993 had a forced sale of all inventory and equipment and closed their doors for good. the current company using the iver johnson name has no connection with any of the past companies using the name. the real iver johnson's arms & cycle works actually became extinct in 1978 when the fitchburg ma. factory was closed and new owners moved everything to Middlesex, NJ and later (1983) to jacksonville, AR. the name was actually changed to iver johnson's arms co. with the move to middlesex.
bill