Converting a 1897 into an 1897 trench

BigGameHunter

BigGameHunter

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Now before anyone says I am butchering a classic gun, The end of the barrel is already pitted and the action finish is all but gone except for a bit of a light brown remnant of a finish. The gun was given to me seized up with a broken extractor. I am working on getting the gun operating however it is such a neat gun I feel I own it to it to refinish it and give it the awesome look it once had.

One idea I have is since I am taking all of the collector value out of it why not see if I can find some parts like heat shield at least and a bayonet lug and make it into a trench gun replica. What do you guys think about that. I think it will be a pretty good challenge but I have only refinished guns (rebluing, wood refinish, small things). I think it would be neet as I am not really bubba'ing the gun. Has anyone else tried doing this or have a 1897 and would like to share anything about them. So far a few people have been generous offering me tips about the gun via PM as when I sit it beside my wingmaster it is a completely different pump gun all together and I think it might just end up being used as my main turkey and bird hunter.

Anyways sorry for the long post. Here is a pic of the reciever just to show you the main problem. If you want any pics of the gun in full to show the current state I will put the stock back on.



If I get a pick and put the extractor in the slot the action will lock and allow me to pull the trigger. If I remove the extractor the same thing the action locks up. So ruling this out I need new extractor spring and maybe just a new extractor kit(all the parts needed). Also I plan on first buying 2.5" loads to try in it as it does not say but I believe it is 2 9/16 (serial dates it 1904) and also these were cardboard loads that were crimped differently. I read that if I would have put in 2 3/4 and tried it out it would just blow apart even if it is 2 3/4 as like I said the newer shells are make differently and are probably higher pressure. Anyways enough rambling what do you think of the Trench gun idea and is is easy to get cosmetic parts for a gun like this.

Thanks for any help, always appreciated.
 
I like the idea, some guns just to old in some ways, and might as well be altered to function right. Sent you a message on were you might be able to get the heat shiled.
 
The 97's replaced the 93"s.The 93's were recalled as they were 2 1/2 or 2 9/16 " or something chamber and Winchester found out that people were putting the longer shells in the 93 and were blowing up so when you brought your 93 back to a dealer they gave you a 97 in return free !!!!.Your 97 is meant for 2 3/4 " shells,no 97's were made with any dif chamber than 2 3/4".I've got a couple 97's and really like them,really tight pattern.It use to be my duck gun but since retired it but still use it sometimes for turkey.
As said,no probs with today's 2 3/4" standard shells.I've never put a 2 3/4" magnum shell through mine and never intent to !!!.
I think you'll find other cgn'rs say the same !
88
 
88 man thanks for the advice. I found that info on another forum about the 2 9/16 so I figured I would check here first.

Update: My dad was able to get a new spring for the ejector and I put it all back together and I am tempted to just leave it as it is now that the action works. The stock is banged up a bit and refinishing probably wouldn't do much to help it. The forestock is almost mint though. I still think I may turn it into a trench or riot model and just have it as a bush shotgun and just a fun shotgun to have. You can never have too many pump action 12 gauges. :)
 
The heat shield and bayonet lug are a one piece unit, it could be difficult to find an original one for the 97 and most likely worth a few dollars too. If the stock is just dented you may be able to raise the dents with steam, I did it with my 97 trench gun and it looks a lot better now.
 
Is there any repros made for the shield bayo config. I would even consider a norinco one as I just want it to look like a trench gun as they have always been one of my favourite guns. thanks
 
Dark internationals site was down and when i finally was able to get on I could not find them on there. Only thing I could find was a Norinco 97 complete shotgun, no parts. Thanks anyways.
 
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