TX.SP Marked Winchester 1897 Riot Takedown 20″ 12 GA Pump Shotgun, 1907 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1025

LSB#: 210714SH07

Make: Winchester

Model: 1897, “Riot”

Serial Number: 332695

Year of Manufacture: 1907

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″ Shells

Action Type: Pump Action Takedown Shotgun, Tube Fed, Exposed Hammer

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “CYL”, the top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.” with patent dates, “12” and with an ovalled “WP”. There is another “WP” on the top-front of the receiver to the left of the sighting plane. The bottom of the barrel extension is marked “332695”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “D / 332695”. The left side of the frame at the bottom-right is marked “TX . SP” (see Our Assessment) and “15”. The left of the stock behind the grip and the bottom of the grip are each marked “7”.

Barrel Length: 19 3/4” measured, 20″ nominal. Riot barrels saw variations from about 19 1/2″ to 20 1/2″.

Choke: Cylinder Bore, Fixed

Sights / Optics: There is a silver colored bead at the muzzle. The top-front of the frame has a shallow groove for 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. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, more in the buttstock than the slide handle. There are a few more notable scratches in the buttstock. There is a thin grain-line crack at the rear of the trigger guard. The grip areas show handling wear. There is some pooled finish on the left behind the grip. The LOP measures 13 3/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate. The plate has moderate-heavy wear with a repaired chip at the toe. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray, there is scattered light erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 20% of its metal finish. Finish remains in protected areas such as the top and front of the magazine tube, the bottom of the barrel and at some corners. Other surfaces have mostly gone to a mottled light patina. There is some scattered surface erosion as well as a few nicks and scratches. There is wear at the left-front edge of the frame from the action bar during assembly. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to worn with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions properly. This shotgun will slam-fire as designed. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: This is a special shotgun. CYL marked Winchester Riot guns are some of the most desirable of all the Winchester shotguns. This example’s markings indicate that the gun may have served at the Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville. Yes this gun has wear, but given its age and intended use, it can hardly be blamed. This will make a nice addition to a Winchester or law enforcement firearms collection and likely still has a few more decades of guard duty left in it. Please see our photos and good luck!