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model 1897 winchester shotgun

mmmgreen99
I recently picked up a model 1897 winchester shotgun from a sale. After I got home, I got online and researched my purchase. If what I am reading is correct, this gun was manufactured in 1911-1912. That's awesome! Judging from the blueing, I would agree with those dates. WHat do you think something like that's worth? The action, hammer, slide and trigger appear to be solid, given the age of the gun. The barrel has been cut down to just longer than the magazine tube, where in the world would I find a replacement barrel?
Thanks, guys.
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • duckhunter
    Without more info $200.00-$250.00 check the parts auction here on this site.

    I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.
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  • flyingstar
    Any 1897 Winchester that's shootable is worth 250-350 because of the "cowboy Action shooting" explosion! If it is "better" than "shootable" then the price just keep going up. I recently found an 1897 made in 1914. It was in decent shape and I just refinished the poorly varnished furniture. I just sold it for $ 780....SO....
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  • duckhunter
    wITH A CUT OFF BARREL?????

    I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.
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  • Bert H.
    I agree with duckhunter... a cutdown Model 1897 is a $200 - $250 gun at best.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • Throckmorton
    Worth way more than 200 to the cowboy shooters.Guaranteed!!A parts gun will bring almost that much.Ok,so they ain't playin' witha full deck,:),but truth is truth.
    I'd buy em all day for that and make money on every one,as described by you.

    Throckmorton SASS #23149
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  • 65gto389
    You might want to look very closely at the gun and check where it is made. Sometimes iticha (that chinese company) can make very good copies. Obviously if you do not see iac or made in china or whatever it will be worth a lot more. Just thought you would like to know.
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  • tobefree
    putting a barrel on a 97 is quite a task. These guns just weren't designed for barrel replacement. I can tell you for sure that you are going to need a pair of calipers and a m97 chamber gage and a complete mahine shop would be very helpful. Patrick Sweeney's "Gunsmithing: Shotguns" has a m97 restoration project included in the text. Fairly good read. AGI has a video course for the m97 but I haven't seen it to rate it.
    Good luck, At least you have picked one of the shotguns that is worth all the effort that it take to do that project.
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  • reddnek
    Its likely not a cut down ballel but a trench or riot gun stripped of its heat sheid and bayonet lug i have one that i used for jersey deer hunting for years nice brush gun with buckshot or slugs
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  • mmmgreen99
    After closely examining the gun, I believe that it is authentic, the barrel is stamped winchester repeating arms co. new haven, ct. Above the serial number you can make out an "E" . If it is a trench gun, that would be even better. The end of the magazine tube needs some work, the pin that holds the cap on is quite worn. I am planning on taking it out tomorrow afternoon and shooting it. Would the gun be marked any certain way if it was a trench gun version? Are there parts available to restore it, such an authentic heat shield?
    Thanks, guys.
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  • fishermanben
    Be careful with that beast. I have one, and I can offer a couple of warnings. If you hold your finger on the trigger and pump the gun repeatedly, it will continue to fire w/out you actually having to pull the trigger each time. The gun can also fire from your thumb slipping off of the hammer when cocking. If it jams, be very careful 'unjamming' it. It lacks many of the safety features of today's guns, and it will punish you if you aren't careful. So BE CAREFUL, and also BE VERY CAREFUL in who you let shoot it.

    Ben

    logo_chc_79x76.jpg
    Play Ball!!!
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  • 65gto389
    I was saying that cause mine has iac (that chinese company) marked in small letters on the barrel, left side, towards the breach end and not the muzzle. But if you do not see those makrings, that means yours is authentic and more power to you. I can not give you any real value to this shotgun but I estimate between $200-$300 dollars. If you plan to break it down I recommend that you get a tech manual with full schetmatic drawings; It will make your life a lot easier. I will certianly will have to get one for mine as it only briefly describes how to take it down in words with no drawings whatsoever. As other users said be careful as this gun you can fire a round again without taking you finger off the trigger. However if a round fails to fire you can just cock the hammer again. Besides everyone will think you have a semi-auto shotgun if you do it fast enough.[^]
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