Winchester 1897 M97 Takedown 30″ Full 12 GA Pump Action Shotgun, 1904 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,325.00

WOA#: WY240515RG010

Make: Winchester

Model: 1897

Serial Number: 250921

Year of Manufacture: 1904

Caliber: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″ Shells

Action Type: Pump Action With Tubular Magazine

Markings: The side of the action bar is marked “MODEL 1897 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK”. The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.” with patent dates and “12”. The left rear of the barrel is marked “FULL”. The bottom of the barrel extension is marked “250921”, the bottom of the receiver at the front is marked “D / 250921”. The bottom of the receiver has been engraved with “C. H. Daley”. 

Barrel Length: 30”

Choke: Fixed Full

Sights / Optics: There is a  brass bead near the muzzle. The rear sight is a shallow “U” groove in the top of the receiver’s chamber ring, the groove and the top of the receiver have been finely matted to reduce glare.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with semi-pistol grip, monte carlo comb and orange rubber Winchester buttpad. There are black diamonds inlaid in each side of the wrist at the front. The stocks have a few light nicks and scratches. There is one slightly more notable nick on the left-front of the forend. There is a crack at the left-rear of the forend. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad, 12 3/4″ to the back of the wood. The pad has some minor discoloration. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished and/or not original to the gun (see Our Assessment).

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. There is some minor operational wear. There is wear at the left-front edge of the receiver from reassembly. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Fine condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 Black Diamond Trap guns were the grand of dame of trapshooting – a special run of hand-made 97’s that were given special fitting and finishing by the plant’s best craftsman and specially marked with a “black diamond” on either side of the wrist. Per George Madis in “The Winchester Book”, Black Diamond guns were regarded by Winchester as the “top of the line”. Highly prized by trapshooters, they ruled the roost at the turn of the century. These guns were made with checkered fancy walnut stocks.

This Winchester 1897 was made in 1904 and has a full choked 30” barrel. It has matting along the top of the receiver and was inscribed to a C. H. Daley at some point. The stocks have been nicely refinished with the checkering re-cut. Monte carlo combs are exceedingly rare for an 1897, and this one’s profile differs from other known factory examples we have seen, which may indicate replacement. Still, it has the enigmatic “black diamonds” in the wrist and is quite a good looking gun. It has been refinished and the vast majority of the new finish remains. The bore is in great shape as are the mechanics. This shotgun would be a wonderful piece to add to one’s collection of historic Winchester or old west related arms. It should even still prove to be a wonderful trap gun. Please see our pictures, and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud