Winchester Model 97

[echo1]

I have nothing to ad other than yours is nice.

What else did you get and maybe want to sell ? PAX

[wweigle]

There is guy name Paul Harrell that has a Youtube channel where he has a video about why he chooses a Winchester 1897 shotgun as his home defense shotgun. If I recall he felt the ability to manually drop the external hammer had safety advantages over convention non exposed hammer shotguns. If your not aware of Paul Harrell's videos he has lots of interesting gun/shooting videos on Youtube. Worth checking out.

[orbust]

Admittedly, I don't know much about the model 97.

In the picture with the tape measure, it looks to me that the trigger is so far back, that the gun must not be cocked.
If that is so, wouldn't you have to cock the unloaded gun (so the trigger will move forward) and re-measure to get the true length of pull (LOP)?

[ATTACH]1004921[/ATTACH]

If you look closely you can see the hammer pulled back in the photo... it just looks that way because of the angle, but the trigger doesn't really move much between cocked and uncocked.

[orbust]

I have nothing to ad other than yours is nice.

What else did you get and maybe want to sell ? PAX

I got a couple cool old Crosman 22 cal air pistols, a Colt 1911, Browning BAR Mark III 30-06, and a couple 22's.

The Bar 30-06 is not in my possession yet, and thats the one I am most excited about.

Keeping them all though!

[orbust]

There is guy name Paul Harrell that has a Youtube channel where he has a video about why he chooses a Winchester 1897 shotgun as his home defense shotgun. If I recall he felt the ability to manually drop the external hammer had safety advantages over convention non exposed hammer shotguns. If your not aware of Paul Harrell's videos he has lots of interesting gun/shooting videos on Youtube. Worth checking out.

I will check him out. I watched Hickok45's video to figure out what it was originally https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OukmFnhUCM&t=8s

Fun fact I learned from that... The 97 trench gun was used in WW1 and the Germans literally complained about it because it was so devastating. Which I thought was hilarious because they were using flame throwers.

[SkyHawk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4FESGjiH3s&start=595&end=703

[TRAP55]

Early in 1919 Frank Burton issued a change of manufacture order to shorten all model numbers to two digits, so the Model 1897 became the 97. Some models didn't see the change until late 1920, because the engineers had to make new barrel roll stamps for all those models.
The first known "97" stamp dates to Oct of 1919, and late in 1920 a newer roll marking started.
Made from 1897 to 1957, none produced in 1945, and only one in 1957. Total number produced, 1,024,701. That includes the Model 1893 where the serial numbers start, and continued with the 1897. The 1893 had so many problems, it was re-designed into the 1897. Winchester offered to let you trade your 1893 in for a 1897, and most did.
All 1897 12ga guns were chambered for 2.75 shells, but the chambers are cut slightly shorter for the brass or paper roll crimped shells used then.
orbust, your 97 has been refinished, and the recoil pad added. The pad is period correct, and I'm amazed at the shape it's in. Usually rotting away, or rock hard and flat from standing the rifle in a closet corner.
Value? in today's market,for insurance replacement, $1000. As a family heirloom, priceless. With a serial number, I can give you a correct date of manufacture if you are interested..

[TMB 1]

Another of Paul's 1897 videos.

[orbust]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4FE...rt=595&end=703

I spit my coffee out when he was showing the 38 special and said "if things get dicey I can also shoot it directly from my pocket" and then he shoots the target literally through his shorts pocket.

[orbust]

Another of Paul's 1897 videos.

Great video, I learned a lot.

[orbust]

Early in 1919 Frank Burton issued a change of manufacture order to shorten all model numbers to two digits, so the Model 1897 became the 97. Some models didn't see the change until late 1920, because the engineers had to make new barrel roll stamps for all those models.
The first known "97" stamp dates to Oct of 1919, and late in 1920 a newer roll marking started.
Made from 1897 to 1957, none produced in 1945, and only one in 1957. Total number produced, 1,024,701. That includes the Model 1893 where the serial numbers start, and continued with the 1897. The 1893 had so many problems, it was re-designed into the 1897. Winchester offered to let you trade your 1893 in for a 1897, and most did.
All 1897 12ga guns were chambered for 2.75 shells, but the chambers are cut slightly shorter for the brass or paper roll crimped shells used then.
orbust, your 97 has been refinished, and the recoil pad added. The pad is period correct, and I'm amazed at the shape it's in. Usually rotting away, or rock hard and flat from standing the rifle in a closet corner.
Value? in today's market,for insurance replacement, $1000. As a family heirloom, priceless. With a serial number, I can give you a correct date of manufacture if you are interested..

So much good info from you guys, I really appreciate it.

Serial is 778820 I found the list of serials and manufacture dates and from what I discovered this gun was manufactured in 1927? Thats incredible if so. I would have guessed it was not that old.

[orbust]

Thank you to everyone who has replied with your tips, info, and pictures of your own 97's. I really appreciate the help.

[TRAP55]

Made late in 1923, with 19,915 made that year.

[orbust]

I'm not sure when they changed the nomenclature from "Model 1897" to just "Model 97", but I believe that it was sometime in the 1920's. Go to one of the many internet sites that can translate the serial number to a manufacture date if you are interested in when it was made.

I have a 1917 vintage Model 97 that was originally made as a riot gun and then later on was converted into a trench gun. I have had this one for many years and it is not only still viable as a home defense weapon, but it's a neat conversation piece. So many have been cut down for cowboy use that is is refreshing to see one that still has the original barrel length.

Sweet bayonets. I am assuming that the trench and riot models both have the bayonet attachment points? I just looked all over for a barrel that has this feature and couldn't find one. Couldn't even find short barrel without them. Do you know of any sources? If I can find a shorter barrel for it, I think I will use it for home defense.

[TRAP55]

You don't just change a barrel on a 97 like you would on a Rem 870, you need the whole front half of a take down model.