Anyone still shoot an 1897?

MacAR said:

I do, and its one of my favorite shotguns. Can't count how many times its brought home supper, the turkey shoots she's won, or how many skeet she's busted. She ain't pretty, but here she is:

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The old gal left New Haven in 1914, came to a local hardware store, and has been in this county ever since. I had her out today doing some pest control, and thought that I'd see if anyone else still uses their 97's. So if you do, post 'em up!

Mac

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Mine is in the back of my safe. It looks like yours.
When the depression hit my great uncle owned a restaurant in Laramie Wyoming. Soon he had lost everything. My grandfather withdrew his money from the local bank and bought trainfare for his brother and his family to return to Illinois. When they arrived back here, (at this house) my great uncle had a '97 Winchester, an anvil. He gave the '97 to my grandpa as partial payment for the trainfare. Grandpa was happy with it because shortly after he withdrew the money to buy the tickets, the little bank of Hunt City failed. He would have lost his money anyway.

I have the '97.....and the anvil.

I sold mine awhile back and I wish I hadn't.
The only drawback I see is the lack of available parts.
Something breaks and there's a good chance you've got a wall hanger
1897's are too good for that!

I have one made in 1917 that I shot a lot of buckshot through deer dog hunting. I still shoot some birds with it. It has a 32" full choke barrel. I also have another junker 97 if I ever need parts. However parts are out there if you look.

All that I have is the Chinese copy trench gun - but that's fine, since I'm not really a shotgun man.
I'll leave the real ones for those that love them.

Not pretty???

Can you not see the classic lines? The fit of the stock to the receiver? Are you unable to hold it in your arms and not feel the hundreds if not thousands of rounds that have gone through it? Not to mention all the chores it has completed successfully?

The person that can say it is not pretty… Is either blind, completely void of imagination or a man.

I once had a U.S.-issue M1897 trench gun. There was a general feeling of fragility about it, maybe having to do with the polished blue finish, the slim stock, and the exposed hammer. I just couldn't imagine it taking much of a beating in the trenches. I ended up selling it without too many regrets.

Have one. kicks like a Mule. Got it the the 40`s. 1940`s.
It`s not going anywhere. It`s been been retired for a while now.
It gets fondled every now an again with some TLC.
Then back in the case with the rest of the boys.

Armored farmer said:

Mine is in the back of my safe. It looks like yours.
When the depression hit my great uncle owned a restaurant in Laramie Wyoming. Soon he had lost everything. My grandfather withdrew his money from the local bank and bought trainfare for his brother and his family to return to Illinois. When they arrived back here, (at this house) my great uncle had a '97 Winchester, an anvil. He gave the '97 to my grandpa as partial payment for the trainfare. Grandpa was happy with it because shortly after he withdrew the money to buy the tickets, the little bank of Hunt City failed. He would have lost his money anyway.

I have the '97.....and the anvil.

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Mist have been a blacksmith by trade to even consider bringing an anvil with you across the country during those hard times.

That’s a nice shotgun. I love the patina. My goofy sense of style would actually prefer a seasoned finish over one that looks new

Neighbor lady gave me her late husband's '97 Black Diamond Trap gun. Now it's not as neat as it sounds as it sports a Weaver choke device with 3/4 choke tube and the old boy had taken his hand saw and cut an inch off of the pretty but stock so his kids could shoot it. By serial number it was made in 1912 and it still shoots just fine. I had to replace the ejector pin which wasn't hard to find. Still shoot a round of trap now and then just to get a reaction.

John Joseph said:

I sold mine awhile back and I wish I hadn't.
The only drawback I see is the lack of available parts.
Something breaks and there's a good chance you've got a wall hanger
1897's are too good for that!

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Try Jack First, as well as the usual suspects. They actually stock a lot of new made parts for them, made from copying originals. I ordered some parts for one I'm working on for a family member, and got them fast, though they are a little more expensive than Numrich. I shot a 21 with it during 'testing'.

earlthegoat2 said:

across

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Indeed he was a blacksmith. He was a farrier in the Army in WWl in france. Mostly mules.

I have one,its one of my favorites.

Just look for the guy with only one thumb......he probably has one.

I have three, a full choke, a modified (my favorite trap gun), and a trench gun that supposedly was a guard gun at Attica.

I have a friend who inherited one with a poly choke from his grandfather. He turkey hunts with it.

Love the 97. I have one made in about 1929. Also have model 12 owned by my grandpa , cherish those masterpieces that they are. Shot many crows with 97. Ouch! Many a thumb nail torn and bleeding from that breech bolt. Happy Hunting.

OK, we have a retired employee that made this comment about his "squirrel rifle." I'll quote him as close as I can remember...

This old gun was ugly as sin when I bought it back in 71. Since that time it's been with me through three states, two wives and six jobs. It's been with me through many a woods and pasture and many times fed me and two kids. Over the course of 40 years I suppose it's still ugly but to me it's been so much a part of my life I've come to see a real beauty to it simply because of the years we have been together. Because in the end, whether it's woman, dog or rifle after a time you stop seeing the lines, bumps and imperfections and start to notice the virtues that can only be seen through being in long company.

While the subject was a rifle, (a Remington model 12 .22 to be precise) it seems to me it would apply to a 97 Winchester as well. I know that my brother will take possession of Dad's 97 when he no longer has any use for it. But he needs a "duck" gun with a tight choke and relatively long range. Even when it is my brother carrying the shotgun... I'm going to see my Gramps patiently waiting for a mallard foolish enough to come into range.

MacAR said:

I do, and its one of my favorite shotguns. Can't count how many times its brought home supper, the turkey shoots she's won, or how many skeet she's busted. She ain't pretty, but here she is:

View attachment 939262

The old gal left New Haven in 1914, came to a local hardware store, and has been in this county ever since. I had her out today doing some pest control, and thought that I'd see if anyone else still uses their 97's. So if you do, post 'em up!

Mac

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I wish. I do have its descendent, the Model 12 though