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winchester 1897 12 ga.

NYGUNS
Hi
It has (Pat. appled for) on a moveing part Inside the receiver. The barrel has 12 in front of the receiver and manufactured by winchester repeating arms co. new haven conn. usa Pat nov 25 90 dec 6 92 july 21 96 feb 22 98 and thats it. shouldent there be a maching number on the barrel? The barrel looks to be a shade browner than the receiver. also the forarm has three screws in it.
Thanks
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • NYGUNS
    I have a winchester 1897 12 ga. shotgun in almost mint condition with a 32" barrel and a low #51,1xx number. I there anyone who could give me some info and value on it.
    Thanks
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  • Bert H.
    Hello NYGUNS...

    It appears that you have a standard Field Grade Model 1897... value will be no more than $1000.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • only winchesters
    Hello NYGUNS. Since your gun is a Solid Frame, there is no receiver extention, so there is no matching number on the barrel like the receiver. Since you have the standard info, marked on the barrel, my guess is it is a steel barrel, as opposed to the Damascus barrel that I mentioned in your earlier post. The 3 screw forearm?slide assy. is correct for your vintage of gun. This was changed later, I believe in the "teens".
    I liked your term "browner" because at 106 years of age it should be showning some "brown". Since your gun has a 32 in barrel, I'm going to assume it's a Full choke, have you measured it. A quick way is to see if a dime will fit into the muzzle. If the dime wont enter then the "Full Choke" is still there, meaning it hasn't been opened up or shot out.

    If your gun is as good as you say you have some real positive things going for it's value.
    1) It's age, since it was made in 1899, they only made about 32000 guns before 1900 That's a plus.
    2) Not many 32 in barrels, or guns with the original wood still in real good or better condition.
    3 The only negative thing, it's a solid frame, they were never as popular as the take down version.

    Your gun is rare because it has survived this many years. It's not like you can go to a major gun show and see a half doz. for sale, or pick up a copy of the gun list and see them for sale, or even look on the internet, you just don't see them. If this was a turn of the century gun or a teens gun I would agree with Bert about no more than a $1000. How ever if you were to put it up for auction here at GB, or advertise in the "Gunlist" I wouldn't be surprized if someone was willing to pay more, if it is as nice as you described. Remember there 260 plus million people here in the US, I'm sure there is a Winchester lover out there who would be dieing to find one like yours, you just have to find him/her, LOL

    If you are going to sell it, start high, working down, until people become interested in it. Or if you put it up for Auction here, put a high reserve, and see how high the bids go.

    The one thing you never mentioned was the bore, if it really shines like a mirror, that's another plus. A lot of people shot the old black powder loads through them, and that had a tendancy to pit the bore. Hope all this helps you. I don't know if you have a Home Owners/Renters Insurance policy, but if you are planning to keep the gun, I would add it to your policy with a replacement cost of $1250. Like I said a person will look a long time to find exactly what you have. Regards Dave
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  • NYGUNS
    Thanks for all the Info
    Yes a dime will fit snug in the barrrel but was all 32" full? The bore is like a mirror and I forgot to say that this gun is tight like a new gun. The stamp on the barrel seems light or weak compaired to a newer one I have.
    The other winchester 97 #636,xxx I have is a take down with a 26" barrel. It is stamped full with w p in a circel on the barrel. I was told it was a trench or riot gun? Were is the number on the barrel?
    Thanks
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by NYGUNS
    The other winchester 97 #636,xxx I have is a take down with a 26" barrel. It is stamped full with w p in a circel on the barrel. I was told it was a trench or riot gun? Were is the number on the barrel?
    Thanks


    Hello NYGUNS...

    The Winchester Model 97 "Trench Gun" or "Riot Gun" was manufactured with a 20" Cylinder bore barrel only. Your Model 97 with a "Full" choke marked barrel is a standard grade gun (although just a bit rarer than most due to the 26" barrel). Winchester offered the Model 1897/97 12 gauge in 32, 30, 28, and 26 inch barrel lengths, with the 30-inch being the standard length.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • only winchesters
    Good morning NYGUNS. I concurr with Bert, your takedown 97 is is what was known as a "Brush" gun. Like bert said 26in full chokes are on the rare side. Riot and trench guns did have a 20 in barrel, however according to "Stadt" there were some made with 22" They were all marked "CYL" for the choke size.

    The fact that a dime will fit snuggly in you early 1897, doesn't mean it's been opened up. When metal heats up it expands. Depending on just how warm your room was were you kept your gun, can make the difference. The best temperature to check is 70 degrees F. It should be kept at that temp. for 24 hrs before checking. don't hold the muzzle with your hand, the heat from your hand can make a difference. Old fixed choke guns can open up over time from rapid shooting. I've shot some guns where the barrel became to hot to hold. It's really not a good idea to do that.

    You have asked "where is the number on the barrel" as stated before the only number you will see, is the 12 just infront of the receiver. On the bottom of the barrel Winchester use to stamp the year the barrel was made. you can't see this on your solid frame, or your takedown, The only way I know short of complete dissassembly, is to slide a piece of paper in there and using pencil lead mark the paper and see if it hi-lites the number onto the paper. On your take down 97, the serial numbers are on the bottom of the receiver and on the receiver extention, they should match. solid frame guns have no receiver extension therefore there is only one serial number present. Hope this helps. Regards Dave
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