1897 winchester

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brybenn

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Recently ive been toying with the idea of getting back into pump guns for skeet after having a pump gun day. One notable pump that has eluded me is the winchester 1897.
I know norinco makes a current clone but other than 1911s I dont think to highly of norinco guns. However it would see limited use on a skeet field and the possibility of a bird or small game hunt once or twice every couple years. With original high quality guns going for good coin whats the current market value for an original shooter grade 97 fair to good condition worth nowadays in our market? Bluing wear doesnt bother me as long as its complete and mechanically sound with a barrel from 20-26" looking for a standard grade takedown not a riot or trench gun
 
The 97's are a slick working pump, my personal favorite. Assuming you are looking at 12 gauge for economy of feeding it,. factory offering was 30 inch barrels. They offered from 20 inch to 32 inch barrels on special order but if I came across a 26 inch factory gun I would expect it to be pricey due to scarcity. Outside of riot or trench guns every 97 I've seen has been marked full choke. I have seen a couple recently made in the 40's and 50's in decent shape going for $650-$800 which isnt out of line imo. A lot less wear and tear than most 100 plus year old. For skeet I would find a late manufacture 12 gauge field gun, cut barrel back to shorter length and have screw in choke tube and new bead installed. Plus add recoil pad.
Failing that you might find one with Cutts Compensator or Poly choke already shortened if you don't mind the bulbous look on the barrel. Usually shaves price down if a 97 is no longer factory original when you buy it due to lack of collector interest. My 2 cents.
 
Hmm strange you ask BB just picked one up in the last show I was at. There were three there that were in good to great shape as MW said the 50's model there was asking 1k and he was pretty sure he would get it. The other I was suspicious of too nice for what he said thinking it was a rebuilt with parts. So I settled for a really nice but not perfect one for $850.Imagine my surprise when after I bought it I checked the numbers and it was 1906.The gentlemen I bought it off said he had got it from an elderly collector with 10 lever action Winchesters. I took it to the club last week broke 19/25 and missed 4 out of the first 5 until I got it right. I have another model 97 but it is a tricked out trap gun Monte Carlo screw in chokes aftermarket rib. It is a single shot as well otherwise it might have worked for skeet ..
 
The odd good deal is still out there. Found this 1910 mfg example at a local shop a few weeks ago, bit ugly on the outside but mechanically tight & solid. Factory cyl choke & 26" barrel. Was contemplating making a trench gun out of it but I think I'll just leave er be.

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Wow. Personally never seen a factory 26 inch with cylinder bore but more of a Winchester lever guy. I would leave it alone too. See a lot of "trench" and "riot" guns advertised with 20 inch barrels and marked full choke. Doesn't ring true.
 
When I was a kid and that was about a 100 years ago that was a $25 gun. They were a dime a dozen back in the model 12 days. Neat guns though.
 
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Some pics of the new/old 97 I upgraded the pad from the dead Winchester one
 

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Have an ol 1897 one Dad shot 8000 ducks with, Im guessing.
Probably 30s - 50s vintage.
30" full, & staying here and in that condition.
Lil rickety for me to even bother trying to shoot!
Safe queen, maybe wall display - soon!

Too many other new toys to shoot.......
 
Hard to believe anything less than 250 years of hard use would make an 1897 "rickety". Even then, a #2 adjustment ring and you're good for 100 more.

Likely what you're describing is a take-down model in need of adjustment.
 
brybenn said:
Recently ive been toying with the idea of getting back into pump guns for skeet after having a pump gun day. One notable pump that has eluded me is the winchester 1897.
I know norinco makes a current clone but other than 1911s I dont think to highly of norinco guns. However it would see limited use on a skeet field and the possibility of a bird or small game hunt once or twice every couple years. With original high quality guns going for good coin whats the current market value for an original shooter grade 97 fair to good condition worth nowadays in our market? Bluing wear doesnt bother me as long as its complete and mechanically sound with a barrel from 20-26" looking for a standard grade takedown not a riot or trench
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you will never find a 97 with a short bbl and choked for skeet shooting they do not exist
brybenn said:
gun
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struff55 said:
you will never find a 97 with a short bbl and choked for skeet shooting they do not exist
Click to expand...
Many were made with a 26" barrel and then there's the 20" versions. More than capable for skeet if you know how to shoot

Add the fact that barrels are easy to modify and a 30" full becomes a 22" cylinder quickly
 
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