Is it Winchester Model 1897 - Trench-gun or Corn-shucker?

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vonlemberg

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Hello,

I recently got this Winchester Model 1897 and was wondering is it really made in 1898?
According to this web site: http://www.leeroysramblings.com/winchester_1897.html
My serial number “C” over 236074

Can anyone also give an approximate value of this gun with given the current condition.

All thoughts and opinion are welcome.

Thank you,

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Did a quick check here, your gun is an early solid frame 1897, serial range makes it a 1903 gun.

Value? Who knows?

The riot and trench guns bring a large premium. Yours looks like it has a poly choke on it?

Me personally I'd rather have an early model then a newer made one even though later built '97's are usually take down models and have the button which dumps the shells from the magazine without cycling the action.

I have a very similar one here, built in 1901 barrel cut back to 20", almost zero bluing left with a good bore. I don't think I'd part with it for $500, maybe for $600 I'd think about it!!
 
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I have always found 1897 Trench and Riot shotguns, very exotic. I never seemed to be at the right place at the right time, for a good deal on an original Winchester 1897. However I did aquire a Norinco clone two years ago and needless to say, I'm very happy with it.
 
Solid framed '97s are less common than takedowns.
Altered guns won't sell for as much as unaltered ones, unless a person really wants the alteration.
The choke device on this one probably makes it more versatile than one with a cylinder bore, particularly if other tubes can be located.
Lots of '97s have been butchered by cowboy action bubbas; nice original specimens will be appreciating in value.
 
I would say a $350 gun personally. I think that is a Cutts compensator on the barrel. At least the profile looks similar to one I had once. Seems to me an American outfit called Corsons had NOS tubes for them still available along with a HUGE number of replacement barrels for discontinued shotgun models.
 
tiriaq said:
Solid framed '97s are less common than takedowns.
Altered guns won't sell for as much as unaltered ones, unless a person really wants the alteration.
The choke device on this one probably makes it more versatile than one with a cylinder bore, particularly if other tubes can be located.
Lots of '97s have been butchered by cowboy action bubbas; nice original specimens will be appreciating in value.
Click to expand...

LOL...well...I've sure been chastised and put in my place...actually I have cut one 97 down myself, it had a Numerich barrel on it. I do have another three 97's that were cut down long before the cowboy game came along...one by a reputable gunsmith to remove a bulge, (actually a bulge with a small crack in it) and two more that ,I think, were doctored by "good and well meaning trustworthy gun collectors" to try and take advantage of the market for riot or trench guns!!!
While I once held a 97 in my hands at a Cody gun show that was on offer for $75,000, I don't think the OP's gun is in that class. Cut down and modified the way it is $350-400 if it has no wood or mechanical issues.

The 97 my wife uses has fire anywhere from 500 to 1000 rnds a yr for the last dozen yrs. it has never ever missed a beat as long as she does her thing right.

They are very good guns, as a whole, altho some ,from neglect over the years have a very sticky, clunky action, something you don't want in a cowboy gun and some parts, because of the cowboy usage have become hard to aquire (and very expensive).
 
$350 tops, as it will cost the buyer at least another $150.00 to ship, get the cutts compensator cut off and a screw in choke installed by a gunsmith and shipped back to you so the gun can be used in Cowboy action matches.
 
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