Winchester 1897

[wayno21]

Hi, all
I am looking for a Winchester 1897, 12 ga. pre 1924. Not sure GB is a good location for finding one.

Wayne

[Capybara]

I've seen some decent conditioned ones sell for BIG bucks. Might want to look at places like Rock Island Auctions, Simpsons, Ltd., or Lock, Stock & Barrel in Simi Valley. That gun has become a hot C&R collector gun.

[jyo]

I've owned three different '97s over the years when I was into cowboy shooting---certainly my favorite old shotgun---lots around, but prices have gone thru the roof in recent years especially for nicer examples---good luck in your search...!

[19K]

If you’re looking for that specific, gunbroker is your best bet. I have a late 40s model that I got from LSB auctions in Simi Valley, beautiful example of one.

[SkyHawk]

Why pre-1924?

[200Apples]

Why pre-1924?

His birthyear.

[wayno21]

lol, 200 apples. thats funny, public school worked for you. Anyhow, it has to do with roll mark being on the action bar and not barrel. plus a few other mods. shorter expose hammer. etc.

[highpower]

lol, 200 apples. thats funny, public school worked for you. Anyhow, it has to do with roll mark being on the action bar and not barrel. plus a few other mods. shorter expose hammer. etc.

You might try an auction site called "Hibid Auctions". I have seen several Model 97 Winchesters listed there.

Now that I think of it, every Model 1897 I have seen was made very early in the 20th century and I didn't know there was any difference in the roll marks beyond changing to nomenclature from "Model 1897" to "Model 97" sometime before WWII.

This one started out as a riot gun in 1917 and sometime around WWII or later, was converted into a trench gun using a WWII era barrel. You can just make out the "Model 97" peeking out from under the rear of the handguard.

[SkyHawk]

Now that I think of it, every Model 1897 I have seen was made very early in the 20th century and I didn't know there was any difference in the roll marks beyond changing to nomenclature from "Model 1897" to "Model 97" sometime before WWII.

I have a 1952 Winchester 1897 (or just '97?) in original riot config. I will have to dig it out and look at these hammer and rollmark differences.

Here it is with my 1954 Model 12

[wayno21]

the 97 is really nice, longer pistol grip and hook in the upper part of grip is in great shape. appears to be a take down model. if the barrel indicates Full then your barrel was cut down. I believe the riot models were 20 inches or less and barrels were stamp CYN.

[SkyHawk]

the 97 is really nice, longer pistol grip and hook in the upper part of grip is in great shape. appears to be a take down model. if the barrel indicates Full then your barrel was cut down. I believe the riot models were 20 inches or less and barrels were stamp CYN.

Mine is original riot, cylinder bore and so stamped on the barrel

[wayno21]

So i understand you want to sell this?

[highpower]

I believe the riot models were 20 inches or less and barrels were stamp CYN.

Just a quick little factoid: There is a difference between riot and trench gun barrels. the easiest way to tell them apart is a trench barrel is going to have three handguard retention screw clearance cuts near the muzzle. they are there primarily to prevent the handguard from moving under recoil as well as to clamp the handguard in place.

Also, original trench gun barrels never had a front sight bead and won't have a hole where one would have been, whereas riot barrels came with a bead sight. On trench guns the sight bead is on the handguard. Also, while the barrels are obviously going to be different, the handguards are interchangeable between Model 97's and Model 12's.

[wayno21]

keep it coming.

[Capybara]

Just a quick little factoid: There is a difference between riot and trench gun barrels. the easiest way to tell them apart is a trench barrel is going to have three handguard retention screw clearance cuts near the muzzle. they are there primarily to prevent the handguard from moving under recoil as well as to clamp the handguard in place.

Also, original trench gun barrels never had a front sight bead and won't have a hole where one would have been, whereas riot barrels came with a bead sight. On trench guns the sight bead is on the handguard. Also, while the barrels are obviously going to be different, the handguards are interchangeable between Model 97's and Model 12's.

Those are a pair of beautiful shotguns, nice scores! Exactly how I like them, honest wear but you can still get an impression of what they looked like brand new. Perfection.