Winchester 1897 97 M97 Trench-style Takedown 12 GA Pump Shotgun, 1908 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,825.00
WOA#: WY240515CF002
Make: Winchester
Model: 1897
Serial Number: 412304
Year of Manufacture: 1908
Caliber: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4? Shells
Action Type: Pump Action Takedown Shotgun With Tubular Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONNECTICUT. U.S.A.” with patent dates, and “12 GA.”, the left is marked “FULL”. 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. The action bar is marked “MODEL 1897 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The left of the buttstock has been marked with crossed cannons over boxed “G.H.D.” cartouche, there is a double-struck flaming bomb Ordnance mark on the top-rear of the barrel, and the right of the receiver has been marked “U.S.” with a flaming bomb. The martial markings are not genuine.
Barrel Length: The barrel has been cut to 20 5/8?
Choke: Cylinder Bore, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a brass bead at the front of the installed bayonet lug/heat shield assembly 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 grooved slide handle, semi-pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. A sling plate has been installed in the belly of the buttstock (there is another sling swivel mounted to the bayonet lug assembly. The stocks have some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are cracks in each side of the wrist and losses at the toe. The slide handle’s finish appears Original, the buttstock has been Refinished. The LOP measures 12 3/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has heavy wear with a small loss at the heel. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as partially refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original to the parts, the bayonet lug/heat shield assembly is not original to the gun. The ersatz martial markings have been marked through the finish
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is some scattered minor erosion and there are minor lumps in the bottom of the bore at the location of the mounting screws for the bayonet lug assembly. There are tool marks at the muzzle where the cut was dressed. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7+ out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 15% of its metal finish. Remaining finish is in protected areas, mostly the bottom of the barrel and top of the magazine tube. Exposed areas show evenly scattered wear and surface erosion, mostly going to a mottled patina. There are scattered nicks and scratches. There are tool marks at most screw and pin heads, most notable at the lifter-stop screw on the right of the receiver above the trigger guard. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with likely unusable slots, most notable on the rear bayonet lug mounting screw. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this shotgun is in about Good condition as customized.
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: This shotgun comes with the installed heat shield/bayonet lug assembly as well as a brown leather military-style sling. The sling is marked “ROCK ISLAND / ARSENAL / 1918”, but is contemporary manufacture.
Our Assessment: The Winchester 1897 was designed by the famed John M. Browning and quickly became one of the most popular shotguns in the world, serving the United states military in both World Wars and popular with law enforcement agencies across the country. It should come as no surprise then, that it was also popular on the civilian market with many field guns produced. This example is a takedown model made in 1908 which has been modified to a Trench Gun-style configuration. The barrel was cut back to 20? and a heat shield/bayonet lug assembly installed. The buttstock has been refinished with a sling plate installed for use with the included sling. The gun has even had martial markings applied, though they are not genuine. The gun shows wear consistent with a 115 year-old field gun that was re-purposed as a trench-style gun. Put a 17? blade on the end of this thing, and whatever you’re defending yourself against will have second thoughts! Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
