Winchester 1897 problem

[Nonothing]

Just picked up an 1897 12ga today in trade. I knew this going in, but when the gun is pumped the hammer does not stay back. Instead, it goes to a half cock and has to manually be thumbed back every time the weapon is pumped. Anyone have an idea what causes this, or how to fix it? Am I missing some internal piece, or has someone tried to do some kind of strange action job on it as the previous owner suggested? Other than that, the piece seems very tight and mechanically sound. Any help is much appreciated, thanks!

 

[rcmodel]

Full cock notch on the hammer is toast from a botched trigger job.
Or else the trigger sear is worn off round from dropping it in the safety notch too hard to often.
Or else it is so packed full of dried grease and dirt it is holding the sear from full engagement in the hammer notch.
Or else the sear spring is broken, or weak, or the screw is loose.

I have seen all of them at one time or another.

In any case, I would imagine a new hammer, or sear, or both would be needed.
And they are getting pretty hard to find.

Might try here:
http://www.gun-parts.com/winchestershotgun/

But beware.
Taking a 97 apart that far & putting it back together in working order isn't child's play.
Here is a good parts schematic:
http://marauder.homestead.com/files/97parts.htm

rc

 

[Nonothing]

Thanks! Gun is very clean, so I'm assuming a parts failure. I've found a couple places online that specialize in returning 97's to working condition, and just looking at the thing I can tell that it's a can of worms I dont really want to open. As you said, definitely not child's play. So sending it off seems to be the best option. Call me what you will, but I'm considering a full refinish anyways...