CSPD Colorado Winchester 1897 Solid Frame Riot 12 GA Pump Shotgun, 1922 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,825.00
LSB#: LSB241104ME001
Make: Winchester
Model: 1897, Colorado Springs Riot Gun
Serial Number: 711729
ear of Manufacture: 1922
Caliber: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″ Shells
Action Type: Pump Action Shotgun With Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A.”, “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONNECTICUT. U.S.A.” with patent dates, “12 GA.” and “2 3/4 CHAM. / CYL”. The top of the receiver to the left of the sighting groove is marked with an ovalled “WP” proof, the barrel does not have this proof. The barrel has a “41” date code on the bottom-rear. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The action bar is marked “MODEL 1897 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. & FGN.”. The left of the receiver is stamped “C.S.P.D.” (Colorado Springs Police Department).
Barrel Length: 20 1/4″ (20″ nominal)
Choke: Cylinder Bore, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is no provision for a bead on the barrel. The receiver has a groove sighting plane at the top-front.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with grooved slide handle, smooth semi-pistol grip, straight comb and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is light handling wear, most notable in the left of the slide handle. There are no chips or cracks. The buttstock has a thick wrist, typical of later production, indicating a replacement. The LOP measures 13 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light marks around the edges with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as, at least partially, not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: The finish is Original to the parts. The barrel is a replacement. Some other parts may have been replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There are a few spots of faint erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9+ out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. Most of the balance is in normal operational wear. There are several light nicks, scuffs and scratches, mostly on the receiver. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition as not parts-original.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. 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 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. An update to the earlier Model 1893, the 1897 was one of the first viable repeating shotgun designs and set the standard for pump shotguns for decades to come.
This example is quite interesting for a number of reasons. The receiver is marked “C.S.P.D.”, indicating that it was a police gun for the Colorado Springs Police Department. While the receiver is a 1922 vintage solid-frame, the barrel is a 1941 dated trench gun barrel that does not have a Winchester proof. This is consistent with factory surplus barrels sold off to retailers, notably Numrich Arms, who sold the barrels commercially well into the 1990s and early 2000s. The barrels were not equipped with beads and were cut for the heat-shield/bayonet lug assembly used on trench guns. It is likely that these were produced in the run-up to WWII, either for refurbishing existing stocks or for new orders, but the actual orders for trench guns were filled with takedown models for WWII. It is not clear if this barrel was installed by CSPD or after being sold out of inventory. The buttstock has also been replaced with a later thick-wrist type. This should come as no surprise as the thick-wrist stocks were introduced due to the tendency of earlier stocks to crack in the wrist.
In any case, this 1897 is in Very Good condition with a good bore, strong mechanics, and some interesting history. It should still prove to be a good shooter, it will easily be adapted to the trench-gun style, and it is a neat piece for residents of the Centennial State. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
