Impulse Auction Buy - Winchester 1897 12Ga

[highpower]

Model 97 shotguns weren't marked with the 'US' and flaming bomb until after WWI. A great many were sold off/given away after the war to police departments, prisons and other government institutions. Typically, those sold off or given away shortly after WWI are not marked as US property. Only those kept in government inventories were stamped.

Lots of these guns do show stamps from the police department, prison or other institution that acquired them. One thing to note is that ALL factory short barreled Winchesters, both riot and trench guns had 20" barrels and were cylinder bored. All original 20" barrels will have 'cyl' marked on the barrel to show the choke.

So many have been cut down by the cowboy action crowd, that I think it is actually harder to find decent long barreled 97's.





This is a military Model 1897 buttstock:

[bubbapug1]

Very nice patina on the gun. Maybe remove the flaking varnish with stripper and re-oil the stock but I'd leave the metal alone. Looks too good already.

[MosinVirus]

Thanks guys.

I know it is a bit much $ for the condition, but I have been looking around for a bit and its condition is what pulled me in. I may put some time into it and restore its former glory.