DOM Pair of 12 Ga 1897's

BGHillbilly

April 09, 2012 05:01

Since there have been a lot of 1897 questions of late I got curious about a pair I picked up at a living estate sale last year concerning DOM and if there were any ammunition concerns in firing them. Also info concerning any significant differnces between the two models.

The first # is 559000 with an 'E' above it- barrel is marked full but has been shortened to 18 1/2"

The second is what I assume to be a 'takedown model' serial # 233764 with a 'C' above the number, numbers match on the 2 parts of the receiver- barrel is marked Cyl and also measures approx 18 1/2"

I bought them because I had never seen a pump gun with a hammer before then, and now a friend and I are ready to fire them at least once before hanging them on a wall, burying them in a safe or selling them. The previous owner called them 'knuckle busters' whatever he meant by that.

Thanks for any info and recommendations.

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  bnocenti

  April 09, 2012 05:06

  If they have a US stamp or flaming bomb stamp on them I wouldn't shoot them but otherwise I don't see any harm. I believe they can use a normal 12 Ga round. I wouldn't use anything really heavy in them though.
  
  
  I found a website that dates the 550k serial in the 1913 and the 332k around 1904. I'm assuming this website is correct.
  
  http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional_info/winchester_1897_shotgun.htm

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  rufe-snow

  April 09, 2012 07:25

  Do to the physical layout of the 97, if you have your shooting hand in the wrong position on the stock as you retract the pump handle, the bottom portion of the bolt mechanism will do a number on your thumb.
  
  EDIT #1, Although 97's have very strong and sturdy mechanisms, we have no way to ascertain that they are safe to fire over the net. Best if you intend to shoot them to take them to a gunsmith for inspection and test firing.

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  Bert H.

  April 09, 2012 20:29

  Serial 559000 is a June 1912 vintage gun.
  
  Serial 233674 is a January 1904 vintage gun.
  
  Are you sure that you are measuring the barrel length correctly? The proper method is to close the action (empty chamber) and run a rod down the bore until bottoms out on the bolt-face, then mark and measure it where it intersects the muzzle face.
  
  As long as both guns are is proper working order, they are capable of shooting any modern manufactured 2-3/4" 12 gauge shells that are not loaded with steel shot.

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