Winchester Model 1897

R

Ryel

Inactive
I have a Winchester Model 1897, takedown with 20” barrel marked “FULL” which I presume reflects the choke. Ser. #377916 with a “D” above the # on the action. From the list I have seen it appears to be a late 1906, but I am confused by several things.
1. it is a takedown model but gunbroker expert says that Winchester did not make them before 1921 and NRA American Rifleman (Nov 2010) says 1935. I am guessing that the NRA article is only referring to military trench guns not offering takedown model until 1935. Was 20" takedown offered to the public in standard model?

2. it has a Weaver choke which I think is after market. Also rubber butt pad.

3. there are no military marks or bombs, no CYL yet a most barrels were 30" and 32", so where is a 20" barrel come from? cut down? why?

I know this gun has been carried every season before I was born, and it shows the wear with a cracked stock and most of the blue gone. It has brought home a lot of duck, pheasant and lord knows what all. Not a show piece, a working gun. Can you offer any thoughts?
Thanks
 
Proofhouse agrees with your year of manufacture regarding serial number.

The Weaver would have been an after market add-on

Since it came with a FULL on the barrel, it appears that someone most likely had a longer barrel, cut it down, and added the Weaver, possibly to make it also handy for something like grouse
 
Greetings Ryel, and welcome aboard.

Yes, the "Full" refers to the barrel's original choke. It seems highly probable that your barrel was shortened at one time. Probably for the same reason people shorten barrels these days. Remember, the M-1897 was eclipsed by the introduction of the Model or 1912. Until the rise in popularity in cowboy style competition, M-1897s could be had at bargain basement prices. Why buy a R-870 for security/defense when an old Winchester could be had for very little.

Most shooters would consider a split stock, 20-inch barreled, M-1897 as a poor choice for ducks and pheasants. You can drive a nail with a rock, but a carpenter's hammer is a better choice. Other than for sentimental purposes, your highest and best use of the old '97 might be as a restoration project for cowboy shooting.
 
thank you for the response.

BTW, why was the 1897 produced until 1951 while the 1912 continued until early 60's? why make both?
 
Model 1893 shotgun, manufactured from 1893 through 1899.
Model 1897 shotgun, manufactured 1898 through 1958.
Model 1912/Model 12 shotgun, manufactured from 1912 through 1980 (1973 and later were presentation guns).

The 1897 was less expensive to produce, so production of the Model 1897 and Model 12 ran concurrently. After around 1930, target market of the 1897 was law enforcement and military, Model 12 was targeted for hunters. Both were pretty plain, and either was available to all buyers.

Only solid frames were available for the first few years of Model 1897 production. IIRC, takedowns were offered in 1901. Your barrel has been cut down, a 20" full choke barrel was never offered.
 
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great information, thanks.
the knuckel buster must have been significantly cheaper then the 1912 for someone to put up with the blood letting. Or maybe they were very careful and serious.
:D
 
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