Winchester Model 97

44caliberkid

July 13, 2012 11:25

I was just wondering if anyone could provide me with some information on a Winchester model 97. My Dad received the gun from a friend, and I primarily use it for whitetail hunting. The thing works like a champ where I hunt in the thick woods.

We have no intention on selling it, so dollar value is not very important. My Dad and I just thought it would be interesting to try dig up some info on it.

The barrel measures 19" from the end to where it goes into the receiver, so I am guessing it is a 20" barrel? The barrel appears to be original on the gun, but it may not be. It would be interesting if we could find out the built configuration for this gun.

The serial number is 777898, which I have found should have been made some time in 1927. There is also an E above the serial number. Because of the year of manufacture I am guessing that is why it says model 97 on it and not model 1897?

The gun shoots very well, but it will sometimes jam up after 3 or more rounds. It kind of lets go of the round in the chamber and another tries to cycle in. I have found when this happens I can just dump the round trying to get in the chamber out and cycle the next one in.

Thanks for any help anyone can offer me!

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  44caliberkid

  July 13, 2012 11:25

  I received a Winchester Model 97 12 Gauge pump 2 3/4" from my Father.
  Can you tell me what year and what is the value of this gun? It is in good condition.
  SN. E958443xxx
  
  Thanks
  
  
  Rick Messner

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  navc130

  July 13, 2012 11:56

  Cracks in the forend and stock wrist are common on Mod. 97's. The standard butplate is plastic or hard rubber. The chamber is 2 3/4". The butplate on the military Trench Gun is checkered steel.

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  62fuelie

  July 13, 2012 12:05

  The spring steel ejector was a weak point on the '97. Replacements should be available thru the usual suppliers - Numrich, Sarco, etc

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  44caliberkid

  July 13, 2012 16:28

  I've redone and sold about 5 model 97's, and yes, they've all had the stock wrist cracks in the same places. The spring and screw are still available, although Numrich is out of the screw right now. I think I may even have one, it just isn't in the two main places I stash parts.
  I was mainly wondering about the year. The number puts it at 1900 or 1901, but I was wondering if the "C" designation changes that.

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  ALFONSE

  July 14, 2012 03:58

  I have some 97s that have a plain metal buttplate with a spur on the top. They were common on the early 3 screw model. I have the parts you need. I have a lot of 97 parts of all kinds. gungarage@gmail.com. Al

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  TRAP55

  July 14, 2012 09:34

  Made in 1900. The "c" was for a production change.

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  Bert H.

  July 16, 2012 06:47

  All of the early production Model 1897 shotguns were standard with a smooth steel butt plate (plastic was never used). The steel butt plates do have a widows peak at the top of the plate that is inletted into the stock. The smooth steel butt plates were used from the introduction of the Model 1893, and were continued when the Model 1897 replaced it in the latter part of 1897. Starting in late 1903, a checkered steel butt plate began replacing the smooth steel variety. By June of 1904, the checkered steel butt plate was standard on the Field grade guns. Hard Rubber butt plates replaced the checkered steel butt plates circa June of 1906 (just before the "D" series guns were replaced by the "E" series).
  
  The higher grade guns (Black Diamond Trap Gun, Pigeon grade, etc.) were almost always equipped with a black hard rubber butt plate, regardless of when they were made.
  
  Serial number 110500 was manufactured in September of 1900. The "C" designation was used circa serial number 48,000 - 249,000 (March 1898 - June 1904). All Model 1897 12-ga guns were made with a 2-3/4" chamber as standard.

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