Seeking historical information re: Winchester 1897

[MattieRoss]

According to Wikipedia, the Winchester model 1897 was used in several conflicts up until the Vietnam War. Despite this, the countries that used it seem fairly limited.

Like other obsolete arms, did these continue to be used by formal or informal militaries in the later part of the 20th century and early 21st century? Was the 1897 ever found in Middle Eastern stock piles, or in Africa or Asia? Considering China has the ability to make them, were they ever adopted or used by China or the allies?

Looking for the real experts to chime in!

 

[DiMP]

While you're waiting for your answer, check out this in depth history of the Winchester 1897 by the awesome YouTube channel C&Rsenal

 

[MattieRoss]

While you're waiting for your answer, check out this in depth history of the Winchester 1897 by the awesome YouTube channel C&Rsenal

Mae and Othias are great!

 

[BlackPowderBurner]

I'm not an expert but I can say that China started reproducing them only within the last 30yrs almost entirely for export to the US. No military or police agency has adopted their reproductions nor are they used domestically. Demand was big with the cowboy action scene shooting wild bunch competition and import of shotguns from China was one of the few things that the US allowed following certain issues with the Chinese selling RPGs to LA street gangs and general firearm manufacturer lobbying against competition. Military use of the 1897 was fairly limited in any conflict listed on Wikipedia, examples don't tend to be found in the arsenals of the US's allied nations nor those they helped arm post WW2. You were much more likely to see a Stevens or Ithaca in Vietnam.

It's a great shame that the market today is entirely focused on the "trench gun" aspect of the 1897. The sporting history is being lost as guns are constantly being chopped up into incorrect fakes, most bubbas neither know nor care that 1897 "trench guns" were never made using takedown frames.

 

[The_Gun_Boy]

As BlackPowderBurner said the 1897 was pretty well gone by Vietnam. Also other nations didn't really use combat shotguns until much recently. Although I have heard of a Model 12 ending up in Iraq (possibly just one) and only used for gate guard.

 

[Goo98]

I'm not an expert but I can say that China started reproducing them only within the last 30yrs almost entirely for export to the US. No military or police agency has adopted their reproductions nor are they used domestically. Demand was big with the cowboy action scene shooting wild bunch competition and import of shotguns from China was one of the few things that the US allowed following certain issues with the Chinese selling RPGs to LA street gangs and general firearm manufacturer lobbying against competition. Military use of the 1897 was fairly limited in any conflict listed on Wikipedia, examples don't tend to be found in the arsenals of the US's allied nations nor those they helped arm post WW2. You were much more likely to see a Stevens or Ithaca in Vietnam.

It's a great shame that the market today is entirely focused on the "trench gun" aspect of the 1897. The sporting history is being lost as guns are constantly being chopped up into incorrect fakes, most bubbas neither know nor care that 1897 "trench guns" were never made using takedown frames.

ww2 ones were takedown receivers, ww1 were solid frame

 

[Raton57]

First shotgun I ever shot was the Marlin model 97. Thats in 1970.

 

[jeepcjaholic]

Anyone remember when Goobles sold a bunch of old military shotguns from the Vietnam war through the Vietnam Group? This is where a lot of “trench guns” came into Canada. Some good some ok but most not so good lol

 

[dan belisle]

According to Wikipedia, the Winchester model 1897 was used in several conflicts up until the Vietnam War. Despite this, the countries that used it seem fairly limited.

Like other obsolete arms, did these continue to be used by formal or informal militaries in the later part of the 20th century and early 21st century? Was the 1897 ever found in Middle Eastern stock piles, or in Africa or Asia? Considering China has the ability to make them, were they ever adopted or used by China or the allies?

Looking for the real experts to chime in!

Saw a couple in a police armory in South Africa. They had quite a mix of stuff. - dan

 

[MattieRoss]

Saw a couple in a police armory in South Africa. They had quite a mix of stuff. - dan

Thanks for this!