Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Winchester Model 97

barnhartmd051977
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!
0

Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • barnhartmd051977
    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
    0
  • barnhartmd051977
    After talking with my parents, We think my grandfather purchased the gun in 48 or 49, not to sure...
    0
  • dcs shooters
    Your best bet is to search for a gun smith that knows the '97,s.
    I have found that there are not too many that will work on them.
    0
  • MFI
    Blue book says that was made in 1947 ..
    0
  • barnhartmd051977
    You are corect on most will not work on them... I have been to a number of local gunsmiths with the, well not many parts made for those if somethings wrong with to the well i cant be held responsible if anything breaks while I am working on it lines...

    I think I may try to get one of those factory letter thing as soon as I can save up the money for it...

    Thank you all so far for your help...

    Cpl. BarnhartMD USMC
    0
  • GuvamintCheese
    quote:Originally posted by barnhartmd051977
    You are corect on most will not work on them... I have been to a number of local gunsmiths with the, well not many parts made for those if somethings wrong with to the well i cant be held responsible if anything breaks while I am working on it lines...

    I think I may try to get one of those factory letter thing as soon as I can save up the money for it...
    Thank you all so far for your help...

    Cpl. BarnhartMD USMC
    I am pretty sure that you can not get a factory letter (Cody letter) on a Winchester model 1897, sorry. They were made in differt grades does your gun have checkering on it? If not its probably a standard field grade gun. they called them thumb smashers because when you pump it rearward the bolt could get ya!
    0
  • vdms55
    barnhart........ contact simmons gun repair in olathe(sp)kansas. if ken cannot fix it i will be supprised, as will you. when you are sending your own gun in for repair the ffl rules do not apply.
    0
  • barnhartmd051977
    How do you ship guns for repair??? Is it the same as when i brought them through mass or when i mailed them from PA to my present home in NH... When I came throught Mass. I had to contact mass State Police and have the gunsmith dismantel the guns, submit a schedule of time arriving at the mass border and roads i would be traviling and time I would be exiting the mass border.. then when I arrived in Nh I had to find a gun smith to reassemble my guns... So I chose to mail the rest of them it was just as bad... Doing research on mailing my firearms I went to USPS where I was told I could mail firearms in pieces, as I could not bring a firearm into a federal building weather in a sealed box or out in the open, (good thing I left them in the car) again off to see the gunsmith to dismantel the guns, box certian parts in certian boxes and back to post office to ship parts... Again once guns arrived here in NH back to the local gunsmith to reassemble the guns... what a pain in the u know what... maybe I have been miss informed who knows seems like alot of trouble to go throught to get one fixed but hey i guess it is worth it...
    0
  • golferboy426
    another bunch of fabrications about the PO mass police breaking down gun etc
    0
  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by MFI
    Blue book says that was made in 1947 ..


    The Blue Book is way off the mark... according to the Polishing room Serialization records, it was made in the first half of the year 1942.

    There are a lot of the Cowboy Action Shooters that use them, and a decent number of qualified 'smiths who work on them. Search for a local SASS chapter, and they will be able to point you in the direction of a 'smith who can get your gun up and shooting properly. My bet is that it is simply crudded up internally.
    0
  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by cartod
    quote:Originally posted by barnhartmd051977
    You are corect on most will not work on them... I have been to a number of local gunsmiths with the, well not many parts made for those if somethings wrong with to the well i cant be held responsible if anything breaks while I am working on it lines...

    I think I may try to get one of those factory letter thing as soon as I can save up the money for it...
    Thank you all so far for your help...

    Cpl. BarnhartMD USMC
    I am pretty sure that you can not get a factory letter (Cody letter) on a Winchester model 1897, sorry. They were made in differt grades does your gun have checkering on it? If not its probably a standard field grade gun. they called them thumb smashers because when you pump it rearward the bolt could get ya!


    Yes and No... If the serial number is between 1 and 379,999, then Yes, Cody can provide a Factory letter. If the serial number is 380,000 or greater, only the Polishing Room Serialization records survive, and they only provide the month and year when the receiver was made.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity