My Winchester 97 arrived

[Preacherman]

Thanks to Stickjockey for a great deal! I bought his friend's 1929-production Winchester 97 takedown 12ga. It arrived with the original takedown carry case in canvas and leather - only the second one I've ever seen! The gun is in really good condition: blueing on the barrel well over 90%, and the receiver is in the 70%-80% range. Smooth operation, very clean - I'm excited!

I was looking around for parts, and Gun Parts Corp. has new stock/fore-end sets for a very reasonable price, as well as barrels, etc. I think I'll replace the original woodwork with modern stuff (so as to preserve the original wood), and put a recoil pad on it. I might also make up a second barrel/magazine set with a 20" barrel, for greater portability in a suitcase.

There's just something about the old '97... great gun!

 

[Stickjockey]

Glad to be of help!

 

[sm]

Congratulations Preacherman !!
Great Guns Indeed, you made another reference though I miss about guns today:

original takedown carry case in canvas and leather

Guns of yore like this respresentative CAME with really nice cases. Sigh...now it's recycled cardboard...

Post Pics Preacher...and the case also...young-un's should see some history...we may be older, but we had class and value.

Stickjockey...thumbs up , seems you two did right by each other

 

[Black Majik]

ooh... congrats!

Purty up that piece, and be sure to share it w/ the rest of us w/ pictures!


Oooh I love pictures..

Congrats PM

 

[Dave McCracken]

Congrats and Mazeltov! Enjoy the heck out of it. I'd like some pics also.

 

[BigG]

Welcome to the Model 1897 family, Padre. The M97s just really define "pump shotgun" to me. Enjoy your cornshucker!

 

[Preacherman]

Guys, I'm out of town for a week or so. When I get back, I'll see about a couple of pictures.

 

[killermarmot]

I love my newly discovered 1897. It was my great grandfather's and had been retired to the attice for nearly 45 years. I cleaned the thing (understatment) :banghead: and headed out to the range, good as new. But watch that slide coming back, lol got me good atleast a couple time, guess that's why it's called a knuckle buster.

 

[buttrap]

Hmmm dumb question? what is a first model takedown in about 99% in the factory muttonchop worth now? dern thing is not in the 12 2 3/4 though its the old 2 5/8 or 2 1/2 chamber though

 

[Dave McCracken]

The question's not dumb,buttrap, since you asked it. My best guess is $350-500, but ask down on Harley's forum to get the attention of the experts.

2 1/2" ammo is more available than in days of yore, and MEC will be delighted to sell you a loader set up for the short cases.

Or, a decent smith can make that a 2 3/4" shotgun. Your call, though alteration will lower collector value.

Killermarmot, I love hearing about old family guns being resurrected. But, having a smith check that out before its next range trip is a good idea. Checking headspace, general condition and chamber length is always a good ides with older shotguns.

 

[Kestrel]

Are all the model 97s chambered in less-than 2-3/4"?

 

[Dave McCracken]

No, Steve. The changeover was in the 20s. IIRC, about 35% of total production was before that.

HHmmm, there's a lot of interest in these here and now. When I get some time (Probably manana) I'll post a new thread on 97s.

 

[Kestrel]

When I get some time (Probably manana) I'll post a new thread on 97s.

Please do!

 

[mod12]

mod 97

never before or since has a pumpgun been made with a receiver more finished and graceful than that of a model 97. the only one that comes close is the model 12.