Winchester 1897 help
I was wondering if anyone could help me with finding out more about this shotgun. I've done some checking, but would like to know if it is a field grade or something else. It has a matted design on top of the barrel and appears to have a high grade walnut stock and forend. The forend is straight as opposed to the ribbed design I've seen on some. Both it and the stock have checkering. The stock has a round knob and a Winchester butt plate. Serial # is in the 118,000's which I think was manufactured in 1901? I read that if it is a trap model from that time, it should be stamped as that on the bolt, but I don't see it. I'll send pictures if anyone is intersted in looking at them and giving me any info they can. Thanks.
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whats the barrell length? whats the gauge? and what is it choked at? fixed modified? full? poly?? etc... and whats the magazine capacity/ i hunt and shoot with these guns on a regular basis...sounds like it is a duck hunting gun 0 -
Dave, its a 12 guage, 30" full choke and a 5 shot magazine. Thanks, Mike 0 -
Hello Caps36: Welcome to the forum! I'd say you are correct on the year of manufacture, just depends on what source is used 1901 or 02. "Trap Guns" had engraved not stamped Trap Gun on the breech block. but that doesn't mean yours didn't have it at one time and it had to be replaced at a later date. Winchester stopped marking the breech block in the early 30's. Yours is kind of unique since it has the "round knob" pistol grip that was checkered, most Trap guns of that era had the straight butt stock, (no pistol grip) Having a matted barrel and the checkered stocks, this was either a "Special Order" gun or it was a Trap gun that had it's breech bolt replaced. This gun should letter from Cody, I think they go up to 1907 or 08 on Md 1897's. It may be worth the money to get it lettered.
As far as a value, without knowing the percent of blue/wear, condition of the stocks etc. kind of hard to establish a price. However with the checkered stocks and barrel matting, in average condition, without a letter, I'd say in the $500-$600 minimum range. With more info as to condition and with a letter it could easily approach several thousand dollars, if it still all original, (not reblued or refinished)
Regards Dave0 -
Thank you only winchesters. This and a number of other guns have been passed on through the family over the years. This 1897 is the oldest of the lot, but I was also given a Savage 1899 that was manufactured in 1910. I am interested in all I can find out about it. I'm not familiar with the Cody letter you mentioned but just searched it and found out how to go about getting that. I don't think it has been reblued. There is hardly any bluing left on it. But the stock and forend have a gloss to them, which is quite old also, but I do believe someone down the line has refinished them. Originally would they have had an oil finish? Thanks again for the info and I really had no idea that it was as valuable as it might be! Mike 0
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