Winchester 1897 (Pics Added)

[Faceman]

I hold in my arsenal a Winchester Model 1897 Pump Shotgun. From what I can gather it appears as it was made in 1904 by the serial number of 243930. I was wondering if anyone knew what it is worth and if I should sell it or maybe hang on to it? I will probably never hunt with it. I have never even fired it but the guy I got it from did use and now he is gone (no family). I dont even know if these can handle modern ammo or not. It is in descent shape ( I am no expert on gun condition) with some scratches and the bluing looks somewhat smeared. The action works fine which I realized when cycling it to keep your rear hand down or you lose some skin and hurts like h***. Any thoughts from anyone on this?

[3willy]

Keep it!!!! That is an original as you can get winchester shot gun. Question I have is it a regular shot gun or one of the military versions military has shorter barrel and magazine runs almost to the end of the barrel. Both winchester and remington were building a lot of stuff for the military back then and have run across a few at gun shows in the 1200 dollar range.

[Faceman]

It is a regular shotgun not the trench gun.

[tattguy12]

Your model 1897 was made in 1898, according to the serial number records that remain. The value can range from $75 for a common 12 gauge field model in poor condition to $3000 for an excellent condition black diamond trap model.

The most common were field grade guns in 12 ga., typically they came with a 30" barrel, full choked. The "bluing" finish on the metal is usually worn off the early ones or, if they were stored for long periods of time, it has turned to a brown 'patina'. With the original stock and forestock free of cracks, these are worth approximately $400 in good condition. Add $100 for 16 ga. Add $200 if in like new condition. Riot/police models are worth an extra $200 (look for 20" barrel and metal buttplate). Military "trench" models are worth an extra $400 - 800. Solid frame versions (as opposed to the later take-down design) are worth an extra $100.

Beware of fake riot, trench, and trap models

[Faceman]

Well I have checked online for the serial number and 2 sites said it is 1904 and 1 site said 1905.
If it is an 1898 that would be even better. Thanks for info.

[proangler16]

Faceman, try this website below.  I believe you select the winchester model and then plug in the serial number of the firearm.  Hope this helps.  Also look around on Gunbroker.com and also Autcionarms.com for the most current prices of your collector, should give you a good start.

Website:http://armscollectors.com/sn/windates.htm

Hope this helps out?

[Faceman]

That is one of the sites that said it was 1905. It looks like on some of the auctions, all the ones that are the same condition as mine are going for about $400 - $500. Thanks for the tips.

[proangler16]

Maybe keep an eye on the auctions until they end.  Anyway you have a nice collector on your hands.

[Faceman]

Thanks

[JackpineRob]

Many moons ago, I had an unfortunate incident where a former client decided to fund his drug habit by burglarizing my home.  He took most of my firearms and optics.

Hunting season was upon us, and I was without a shotgun.

A friend loaned me an older Stevens 20 gauge sxs to get through the first weekend, and my dad called and said Great-Auntie had a 12 gauge she would give to me.

The 20 gauge was a godsend - and put quite a few meals on the table that fall.  Went 17 for 17 on pheasants with it, but for ducks.....

The 12 gauge from Great Auntie was a beautiful old Model 97, in excellent shape.  I looked it over, tested it out with some cheap trap loads, and fell in love.  It has the adjustable buttplate, and points and shoots like a dream.

Now I knew I shouldn't put any steel through it, but decided to treat it like a single-shot with the steel, and not take any shot I wasn't going to drop a duck with.  It did the job.  Shot a little over one box of steel through it, and missed only a couple of ducks.  Later that fall it dropped a deer.

That old beast has a 30 inch barrel with the tightest full choke I have ever come across in a factory gun.  It is now my turkey gun.

Funny to see this thread come up now.  I just pulled the 97 out of the cabinet a couple of nights ago, and Jr. and I spent some quality time cleaning her up, and marvelling at how Winchester got that gun so very right.

If the gun is sound and in good condition, modern ammunition is not a problem.  I will be putting a Federal Premium Magnum #4 with 1 1/2 oz. of copper-plated lead into her in a couple of weeks, when turkey season opens.  She has busted gobblers for me for about 20 years now - and that one or two rounds a year is all I'll put through her.  (I still shudder remembering the steel loads)

When turkey season is over, a thorough cleaning and back into the cabinet she goes.

Most of the 97's aren't really worth all much money-wise.  The one I have now connects me back to Great-Uncle Bill, who purchased it shortly after returning from France after WWI.  He was a consummate woodsman, a game warden for over 30 years, and it brings a smile to my face to pull the old gun out of the cabinet every so often and put a meal on the table.

[Grute Man]

OK I don't want to hijack this thread but it seems to be going in a direction that we should all take head to --  WE NEED PICTURES!!!!!!!!!     Really it would be nice to see some photos of these cool old guns.  None of mine are old but I'll take care of them and pass them on like you guys are talking.

GRUTE 

[Faceman]

I will try to post some pics tonight.

[thunderpout]

NO! Dont sell those old Winchesters!  For the most part, you wont get what their worth, unless ya find the right buyer that wants one cause they were wrong when they sold theirs when not thinking... I know, Im guilty of it as most... Make a shrine for it above a mantel or somewhere where ya can look at it and cherish it!  I sold my dads old winchester 12gSxS cause it wasnt worth much, was worn out and mostly unusable.... one of the biggest mistakes ive ever made... that and trading in my first citori uplander 20g that I bought as a youngin, for a "NEW, nicer one"...    just my three cents...     -thunderpout

[Faceman]

Here are some pics

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Grute Man]

I agree with Thunderpout -- never sell.  Nice gun.   

[HD]

I agree with the majority, I wouldn't sell it.

I my case, I got a few old ones that I wouldn't sell either.

If I needed cash, I think I would sell a kidney first! 
(couldn't sell my liver cause it's already shot) 

Hunter

[Faceman]

I agree with the majority, I wouldn't sell it.

I my case, I got a few old ones that I wouldn't sell either.

If I needed cash, I think I would sell a kidney first! 
(couldn't sell my liver cause it's already shot) 

Hunter

Cant sell my liver either.

[thunderpout]

That is a nice lookin shotgun, really like the prince of wales grip/stock...definatly pretty enough to proudly hang over a mantel!

[C.C. Waters]

  I have a Military version of this gun, point of interest  if you hold the trigger and cycle the action it fires as the action is closed.  I remember a number of years back reading about this, however I cannot recall if this was a modification done by the soldiers that used it, or just a part of the design.  Interestingly the story I read said the enemy soldiers feared this gun greatly, and just the sound of it was extremely frightening, the metallic Clicking of this "trench gun" as the action was cycled, the bellowing blast, and the smoke cloud....  Was a great story about this old Winchester, wish I had a copy of it to post.

[Realtree]

  I have a Military version of this gun, point of interest  if you hold the trigger and cycle the action it fires as the action is closed.  I remember a number of years back reading about this, however I cannot recall if this was a modification done by the soldiers that used it, or just a part of the design.  Interestingly the story I read said the enemy soldiers feared this gun greatly, and just the sound of it was extremely frightening, the metallic Clicking of this "trench gun" as the action was cycled, the bellowing blast, and the smoke cloud....  Was a great story about this old Winchester, wish I had a copy of it to post.

I have a friend that has this same gun in his collection. I believe he said this gun was originally manufactured deliberately without a trigger disconnector and that is why it fires every time the action is closed with the trigger depressed. I'll have to double check with him or look it up, but I believe that is correct.

[Grute Man]

Reminds me of that tv show "The Rifleman."