Winchester 1897 97 M97 Takedown 12 GA 28″ MOD Pump Shotgun, MFD 1954 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1227
LSB#: 210228RI06
Make: Winchester
Model: 1897
Serial Number: 993520
Year of Manufacture: 1954
Caliber: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″ Shells
Action Type: Pump Action Takedown Shotgun With Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. / -U.S. OF AMERICA-“, “-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK-“, “MODEL 97 – 12 GA. – 2 3/4 CHAM. / MOD.”. The top of the barrel at the rear and the top of the receiver to the left of the sighting groove are each marked with an ovalled “WP” proof. The bottom of the receiver and barrel extension are each marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 28″
Choke: Modified, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the muzzle and the top-front of the receiver has a groove which serves as a sighting plane.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with flat-bottom grooved slide handle, flat-bottom semi-pistol grip, straight comb and ventilated brown rubber White Line recoil pad. The slide handle has only a few minor nicks and scuffs. The buttstock has similar scattered minor marks with a more notable scratch on the left toward the rear. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad, 12 1/8″ to the back of the wood, indicating that the stock has likely been cut. The pad has scattered wear, cracking and crushing, hardened with age. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good-plus condition, though the pad is in Poor condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling near the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at most edges. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. The action shows light operational wear, most on the magazine tube. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. This shotgun will slam-fire as designed. We did not fire this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Model 1897 shotgun is another of John Browning’s famous designs. It was the first pump action shotgun to see notable commercial success, helped along by Winchester buying out the designs of competitors. It would go on to be a staple of American sportsmen for the better part of the 20th century as well as being used for Trench Guns in both World Wars and seeing use by law enforcement agencies across the nation. This is a fairly late example, made in 1954. Late features include the flat-bottom slide handle and a wide, serrated hammer spur. This would be a nice addition to Winchester shotgun collection missing a ’97 and could be back out in the field dropping birds for another lifetime. Please see our pictures and good luck!