A long long time back norinco did made some trench versions but only for a short while. The rest after that are all riot type as shown. The Chinese manufacturers had no idea which is what neither do they care so they probably got it revsered and just marketed as such.
I believe Coyote Cap, was the gunsmith from the states who first got the Chinese manufacturer started on making these copies. The Chinese first copied a real old 1897 given to them as sample. But because the real one was so used they also copied the worn and loose parts that was on the beat up sample they had. That, plus the variance caused from imperial vs metric system they use in Chinese manufacturers, among other QC issues, was the initial quality. The gunsmith traveled to China a few times to work with them to get things right. They went through a few generations to iron things out. The Chinese copy also incorporated a few improvement that the gunsmith requested. At the time, they also produced a 1893/1897 mixed copy under the exclusive redesign of the gunsmith which incorporated the best features of both models.
However, once the Chinese manufacturer is capable of producing a working copy, other importers tapped in as well, and quality went downhill due to mass production. Some of the later improvements were also neglected as manufacturing were also contracted to other factories.
The early batches of Chinese 1897 and 93/97 imported by coyote cap were still highly sought after copies in the states by the cowboys shooting crowd.
Now days the QC is a hit and miss, but in general they can be worked out to run well if you are willing to spend the time.
One of the handy improvement that continued to exist is the stock comb has been dropped for about an inch or so, such that when you shoulder this shotgun the barrel (not the top of recover) will naturally be in line with your eye sight to make a quick shot without aiming, such as in the dark. (source: from the gunsmith himself in one of his YT videos).
For the price I guess it's still a fun range toy to have. That external hammer just makes it more aethetical looking even as a wall hanger.
I believe Coyote Cap, was the gunsmith from the states who first got the Chinese manufacturer started on making these copies. The Chinese first copied a real old 1897 given to them as sample. But because the real one was so used they also copied the worn and loose parts that was on the beat up sample they had. That, plus the variance caused from imperial vs metric system they use in Chinese manufacturers, among other QC issues, was the initial quality. The gunsmith traveled to China a few times to work with them to get things right. They went through a few generations to iron things out. The Chinese copy also incorporated a few improvement that the gunsmith requested. At the time, they also produced a 1893/1897 mixed copy under the exclusive redesign of the gunsmith which incorporated the best features of both models.
However, once the Chinese manufacturer is capable of producing a working copy, other importers tapped in as well, and quality went downhill due to mass production. Some of the later improvements were also neglected as manufacturing were also contracted to other factories.
The early batches of Chinese 1897 and 93/97 imported by coyote cap were still highly sought after copies in the states by the cowboys shooting crowd.
Now days the QC is a hit and miss, but in general they can be worked out to run well if you are willing to spend the time.
One of the handy improvement that continued to exist is the stock comb has been dropped for about an inch or so, such that when you shoulder this shotgun the barrel (not the top of recover) will naturally be in line with your eye sight to make a quick shot without aiming, such as in the dark. (source: from the gunsmith himself in one of his YT videos).
For the price I guess it's still a fun range toy to have. That external hammer just makes it more aethetical looking even as a wall hanger.
