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Winchester model 1897

mgreen518
Recently my brother acquired a winchester model 1897 12-gauge pump shot-gun, serial number 598189
I been looking everywhere to find the value and history of this gun,, could anyone help plz
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  • mgreen518
    I have a model 1897 serial # D342xxx. All I can find online deals with WWI and II. My grandmother told me that her brother brought this weapon back with him from his tour in Korea. Someone on here has to have better resources than I do. I just wondered if it could be military issue. The only proof marks are the WP on the barrel and receiver and a double diamond shape on the front of the ejection port side of the receiver. I'm trying to sell this for my grandmother and would like to get a rough value of it.
    Thank you for your time.
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  • Bert H.
    Sorry, but your grandmother was either told a fib, or her memory is not so good.

    Winchester Model 1897 serial number D342000 was manufactured late in the year 1906... well before any of them were ever sold to the U.S. Military. As such, it undoubtedly was a civilian sales sporting gun.

    The WW I era Model 1897s were all solid frame "E" series guns, and are all in the 630,000 - 710,000 serial number range. The WW II (and Korea Conflict) era Model 97s are all in the 920,000 to 958,000 serial number range.

    You did not mention what the barrel length is, or the choke marking, and that information will help identify the gun. In order to properly assess the condition (and the factory originality), it is must to see clear pictures of it.
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  • mgreen518
    p2150107.jpg
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  • Bert H.
    Please post a picture of the left rear side of the barrel.

    What I can tell you at this point, is that it is a Take Down, and that it has been harshly polished and reblued.
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  • mgreen518
    30" barrel Full choke p2150108.jpg
    By mgreen518, shot with FE210,X775 at 2010-02-16p2150112glfklf.jpg
    By mgreen518, shot with FE210,X775 at 2010-02-16p2150113.jpg
    By mgreen518, shot with FE210,X775 at 2010-02-16
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  • Bert H.
    It is a standard Field grade Take Down Sporting Model 1897.

    Unfortunately, it has been totally refinished (and it was not a professional job). The value is less than $300, and only if the bore is clean & shiny. If it has a pitted dark bore, it has almost no value what-so-ever.
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  • mgreen518
    I guess I got a little lucky because the bore is mirror like. Thanks for your help. I really do appreciate it.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by mgreen518
    I guess I got a little lucky because the bore is mirror like. Thanks for your help. I really do appreciate it.


    You are quite welcome.

    A word of caution... do not shoot magnum shells in that gun, nor any that are loaded with steel shot.
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  • mgreen518
    Yeah, someone told me this weapon was nicknamed the widow maker. So 300 is a fair price to give my grandmother so I can hand it down to my kids one day.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by mgreen518
    Yeah, someone told me this weapon was nicknamed the widow maker. So 300 is a fair price to give my grandmother so I can hand it down to my kids one day.


    Wrong Winchester model... it is the Model 1911 semi-auto shotgun that is frequently referred to as "Widow Maker". The Model 1897 was an extremely robust and well designed gun, and it never had any safety or performance issues.

    $300 is a very fair offer to your grandmother.
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