winchester 1897 questions

December 26, 2009 08:47

I traded into this model 1897 takedown, 16 ga., full choke.
No finish left, (old) crack in the buttstock - this gun has been well used, but everything works.
Serial # 567XXX with an "E" over the serial on the receiver.
1. It is missing the locking pin for the magazine tube (part of the takedown feature) - in the Numrich catalog, it shows a Magazine Locking Pin (which I know I need) and then a Magazine Locking Pin Spring (I think I need this also??)
2. From the web, it looks like you just pull the magazine tube out from the receiver and then twist the barrell to take the gun apart. I have twisted as hard as I can with bare hands, and it won't turn and come apart. Is there some trick to this, or is it that the gun has not been apart in 50+ years?? (It is solid as a rock, so I probably don't want to take it apart anyhow - just curious.)
3. This gun has a VERY light trigger pull. I have banged the butt on the floor, and the sear does not slip, but I estimate the trigger pull at less than 2 pounds. Can a Smith do anything to stiffen up the pull without replacing the trigger or sear?? (Maybe just cleaning to get any oil or grease out of there?)
Thanks for any help.
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6 comments

tjwallib

December 26, 2009 08:47
I've just received a winchester 1897 from my father, I believe that he purchased it sometime in the late 60's. Gun is 12GA take down, 20" CYL barrel, serial number shows only on the receiver as C159419. I have no doubt that this gun has been reblued as the finish is just too good, and the area in the receiver where the barrel and feed tube are inserted have a blued finish also. I figure the serial number on the barrel was polished off when reblued? I'll be requesting a factory letter, but wondering if folks thought the butt plate was original and what are the odds that this actually started it's life as a 20" barrel, any other thoughts or comments appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Tom W.
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dcinffxva

December 26, 2009 11:25
This might help folks a little
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Bert H.

December 26, 2009 12:22
Hello Tom,

The fact that the barrel is marked "CYL" is a very strong indication that it was originally a Riot Gun barrel assembly. That said, it does not match the receiver assembly, and it is very unlikely to be original to the serial number. My guess is that it will letter as a standard Field grade gun.

To explain in a bit more detail, Winchester did not manufacture the Riot Gun Model 1897 variant in the take down form until many years after serial number 159419 was made. The serial number on your gun indicates production in early 1902.

What I suspect, is that the serial number on the barrel assembly was intentionally removed (polished off) because it did not match the serial number on the receiver frame. The entire gun shows signs of being aggressive buffing & polishing prior to being reblued.

What you did not mention, is what the rest of the markings on the barrel read.

The smooth steel butt plate (with the widows peak on the top) is the original type used on the "C" series Model 1897 shotguns.
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tjwallib

December 26, 2009 14:12
dcinffxva
Thanks for taking the time to post the pictures properly.

Bert H. -- Yes I would agree that this gun/barrel assembly was heavily polished, no doubt removing the serial number. The other markings on the barrel read
"MODEL 97 -- WINCHESTER -- 12 GA.
---TRADE MARK ---"
2 3/4 CHAM
CYL.

The other side of the barrel reads
"Made in USA Winchester Repeating Arms Co New Haven Conn" and below that it lists a number of Patent dates very faintly.

Thanks again for your comments, all in all I'm pleased to now have this gun, even with it consisting of different mfg dates.
Tom W.
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Bert H.

December 26, 2009 17:48
Tom,

As I suspected, the barrel assembly is at least 28-years newer than the receiver frame. Winchester did not use the "MODEL 97" barrel marking before the early 1920s, and the "2 3/4 CHAM" marking was not introduced until circa 1930.
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wild bunch guy

December 27, 2009 03:16
put your socks on !!!!

WBG
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winchester 1897 questions

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