Winchester 1897 Black Diamond 28″ Full 12 GA Pump Shotgun MFD 1909 C&R
Sold For: $1,380
LSB#: 200911AA10
Make: Winchester
Model: 1897
Serial Number: 417071
Year of Manufacture: 1909
Caliber: 12 Gauge
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. CONN. U.S.A. / PAT. NOV. 25,90. DEC. 6, 92. JULY 21, 96. FEB. 22, 98. JUNE 14, 98. OCT. 16,1900.”, “12 GA.” with an ovalled “WP” proof, the left is marked “FULL.”. The side of the action bar is marked “MODEL 1897 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The bottom of the barrel extension is marked “417071” and the bottom of the receiver is marked “D / 417071”, the top of the receiver is marked with an ovalled “WP” proof to the left of the rear sight groove. The right of the bolt is marked “TRAP GUN”.
Barrel Length: 28”
Choke: Full, Fixed
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a brass bead front sight and a shallow groove at the front of the receiver which serves as a sighting plane. The rear sight groove and the top of the receiver are finely serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with straight grip, inset black diamonds on each side of the wrist, straight comb and curved checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. There is a sling stud mounted in the belly (the other is mounted to the bottom of the magazine bracket). The stocks have several scattered light nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches with a patch of light marring on the left of the comb. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The length of pull measures 13″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear and compressions with a crack at the top edge. The plate is alternately proud and shy to the wood. This and the crack may be explained by shrinkage over the last 130 years. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. There is some minor erosion scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has a patch of finish wear on the right at the muzzle, wear at and in front of the magazine cap from disassembly-reassembly, and operational wear on the bottom from the forend. The most notable finish loss on the receiver is at the bottom-front with loss at the front on each side and some on the top. There are several scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches as well as scattered light surface oxidation and infrequent minor erosion. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. 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. It was produced in several different configurations, but one of the more sought-after among both shooters and collectors is the Black Diamond Trap Gun. With deluxe checkered stocks, straight grip, and matted sighting plane on the receiver, the Black Diamond Trap Guns had the same quality that made the standard models so popular, but with that little bit more that the discerning sportsman wanted in their shotgun. This example appears to have seen some use in the field, with sling studs installed. It still retains about 70% of its metal finish, a nice bore and strong mechanics after more than a century. This would still make for a great field or sporting gun today, but it also is one of the more collectible of the Winchester 97 variations. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R CAN be transferred in California. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.
