Win 1897 16GA price check

[donkee]

No bluing left, nice wood, seems nice and tight. Short barrel (18"-20"). What would be an average price. Also found a couple 12GA with select choke type deals on them. Was that original equipment? Any good websites that have 1897 info????

Thanks!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Best guess, around $300 or so here.

Dial a chokes take away value.

I've not heard of any factory installations of Poly or Weaver chokes.

 

[Father Knows Best]

$300? For that price, I'd buy a half dozen.

16 gauge 1897's have shot up in price over the last few years thanks to demand from the cowboy action shooting crew. The 1897 is the only pump allowed in cowboy action, and it is generally accepted that it is the "fastest" shotgun in the game. While there are replica 12 gauge 1897's on the market, no one to my knowledge is making a replica 16 gauge. Savvy competitors have been buying them because the smaller shells are easier to palm. Anyone with decent size hands can palm four 16 gauge shells and single load them "over the top" through the ejection port. That's a lot harder to do with 12 gauge shells.

I've generally seen tight 16 gauge '97s selling for around $500-600 depending on condition. A basket case may go for as little as $300, but one that has been slicked up, had the barrel shortened to 18-20" (perfect for cowboy action), etc., will command the higher price. I've seen a number of them fully restored sell for near $1,000.

 

[donkee]

Good to know. I ran into 3-4 of them (didnt' get much time to look at them) in the 300-350 range. The 16GA caught my eye since it's the short barrel. I may just buy all of them. Thanks for the info everybody!

 

[redneck2]

$300? For that price, I'd buy a half dozen.

Uh...1897's (at least around here) peaked a few years ago then dropped quite fast. They used to get $500+. If I had one now and had a chance to get $500, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Last one I paid any attention to was a beautifully reblued one in exceptionally nice shape. Dealer had it on the shelf for a long time at $375.

I think the CAS thing is going the way of the beenie-baby. The Roy Rogers/Gene Autrey generation is fading fast and the number of grown-ups (?) that want to play cowboy and indian seems to be dwindling. I quit when I was in 5th grade, and that was 1961

 

[Father Knows Best]

Uh...1897's (at least around here) peaked a few years ago then dropped quite fast. They used to get $500+. If I had one now and had a chance to get $500, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I'd agree with you if you limited your comments to the 12 gauge models. The 16 gauge 1897's are still hard to come by, and ones in good condition command much higher prices than comparable 12 gauges.