Winchester 1897 marking

[Oddbawl]

I just got my mitts on a 1932 vintage 1897, and was wondering if anybody knows what the significance of the letter "E" stamped over the serial number on the receiver is.

 

[Winchester-1897]

You might punch your serial number into this link.

http://armscollectors.com/sn/winlookup.php?file=win1897.dat

 

[Winchester-1897]

Also have a look at this site. Mine is a solid frame, yours may also be solid and not take down, as mine is a 1920 and has the E over the serial number.

http://forums.gunbroker.com/post.asp?method=ReplyQuote&REPLY_ID=2045772&TOPIC_ID=269202&FORUM_ID=2

 

[Oddbawl]

I got the year from the Ser# on a site similar to the one you posted. Mine's a takedown, in the low 800,000 range. Apparently the take downs are a lot more common, and I guess the letter designation doesn't have anything to do with it if your's is a solid frame with the same letter stamp.

 

[doubleman]

Oddbawl
The ''E'' over the ser# is a revision digit which signifies the different modifications that were made to improve the weak points of the 97 through out it 46 odd year production run. The ''E'' is the final revision found on a 97, mine is a 1942 and is also an "E''. You have yourself a good old pump gun that will still give you another 100 years of dependable service.
Regards

 

[Winchester-1897]

Thanks for the info Doubleman, I too was thinking on those lines. You are right about these guns, I love mine It's a lean mean fighting machine ! Norinco's suck!!

 

[doubleman]

There is a real good reason that John.M.Browning's favorite shotgun was a 97 which is quite a compliment to any gun from a guy with 50 odd shotgun design patents to his name.
P.S. That chinese thing is not a 97.

 

[Oddbawl]

Good to hear. I'm bringing this one back from the dregs. Only about 40% bluing left and rough wood. I'm going to try my hand at rust bluing and I got a NOS stock from the Bay of Fleas. Prolly more time effort and money than most think it's worth, but I really like this thing. Much more personality than a kick around 870 or something. I've got to find me a trench gun version one of these days too. -if you happen to have one kicking around...

 

[Winchester-1897]

Mines the trenchgun, but I'll probably never sell it as it is awesome to shot !!!!!!!!!!!! Especially when you throw the p-17 bayonet and let her rock

 

[straightshooter]

Oddbawl
The ''E'' over the ser# is a revision digit which signifies the different modifications that were made to improve the weak points of the 97 through out it 46 odd year production run. The ''E'' is the final revision found on a 97, mine is a 1942 and is also an "E''. You have yourself a good old pump gun that will still give you another 100 years of dependable service.
Regards

Oddbawl,

Sorry to hear you got a lemon. Must be a real downer to finally scoop an 1897, only to get one with only 100 years left in it. Tough break, but I suppose you could use it only in major wars and for all your day to day shotgunning needs. That way, you should extend it's life - maybe get 250 years.

 

[Oddbawl]

Yep, I'm in therapy dealing with the trauma. It's gotten to the point that my therapist says I may need one of the bayonet sportin' types to ease the pain.
Besides, how the hell else am I supposed to trim the hedges?
My problem is, what with my milsurp fetish, I just won't be happy with a pinko copy. I know I'm pulling it all off with a fair amount of grace and charm, but I gotta tell ya, it ain't easy being me...