Winchester Model 1897 97 M97 Takedown 30″ Full 12 GA Pump Shotgun, 1945 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1055
LSB#: 210622JK01
Make: Winchester
Model: 97
Serial Number: E912150
Year of Manufacture: 1945
Caliber: 12 Gauge With 2 3/4” Chamber
Action Type: Pump Action Take-down With 5-Round Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MODEL 97 – WINCHESTER – 12 GA. / -TRADE MARK-” and “2 3/4 CHAM. / FULL”. The top of the barrel is marked with a “WP” proof mark, found again on the top of the receiver. The right of the barrel is marked “-MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONN.-” with patent dates. The bottom of the barrel extension is marked “912150”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “E / 912150”.
Barrel Length: 30″
Choke: Full, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the front of the barrel and a shallow groove at the front of the receiver which serves as a sighting plane.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with grooved slide handle, smooth semi-pistol grip, straight comb and ventilated brown rubber Mershon White Line recoil pad. The stocks have light handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, mostly in the buttstock. There is finish loss and light sanding in the buttstock. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad, 12 7/8″ to the back of the wood. The pad has scattered light wear but is still fairly supple. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The receiver has handling wear toward the bottom-front and there is handling wear on the rear portion of the magazine tube. There is some finish wear at the rear of the barrel on each side. There are several scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some scattered minor oxidation. The action shows moderate operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, and is smooth. 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 one of the most popular shotguns in the world, serving the United states military in both World Wars, popular with law enforcement agencies and sportsman across the country. It should come as no surprise then, that it is still popular today with collectors and CAS competitors. This shotgun is one of the later models, made in 1945. It has a 30″ Full choke barrel and shows wear consistent with use in the field but still has a great bore and strong mechanics, ready for another lifetime’s worth of use. Please see our photos and good luck!