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Winchester Model 97

Sean4321Sean4321 Member Posts: 45 ✭✭
edited April 2006 in Ask the Experts
I was just wondering if anyone could provide me with some information on a Winchester model 97. My Dad received the gun from a friend, and I primarily use it for whitetail hunting. The thing works like a champ where I hunt in the thick woods.

We have no intention on selling it, so dollar value is not very important. My Dad and I just thought it would be interesting to try dig up some info on it.

The barrel measures 19" from the end to where it goes into the receiver, so I am guessing it is a 20" barrel? The barrel appears to be original on the gun, but it may not be. It would be interesting if we could find out the built configuration for this gun.

The serial number is 777898, which I have found should have been made some time in 1927. There is also an E above the serial number. Because of the year of manufacture I am guessing that is why it says model 97 on it and not model 1897?

The gun shoots very well, but it will sometimes jam up after 3 or more rounds. It kind of lets go of the round in the chamber and another tries to cycle in. I have found when this happens I can just dump the round trying to get in the chamber out and cycle the next one in.

Thanks for any help anyone can offer me!
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    Sean4321Sean4321 Member Posts: 45 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hi,
    Anyone know the date of manufacture of a Winchester Model 97 Ser# E75059X? Not interested in the value...I think it is priceless[:)]
    winchester97.jpg
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    Sean4321Sean4321 Member Posts: 45 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am researching my grandfather's Winchester Model 97, 12 ga. shotgun. It has the number L37053 etched on both the barrel and the gun. Can anyone tell me:

    When the gun was made?

    Where the gun was made?

    The distributor of the gun?

    The special Model 97 model?

    Any pecularities of that particular model?

    and finally, the name of the most knowledgeable person in the U.S. on that particular gun?

    I would like to contact a specialist on this gun to inquire about the weapon.

    I know that my grandfather possessed the gun during the 1930s.

    Thank you for any information you can provide.
    Terry
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    Sean4321Sean4321 Member Posts: 45 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am looking at a winchester model 97. The serial number is around 790500, does any one know about what year that would make it? Was hoping to find a late 40's or early 50's. They wanted $450. completely refinished.Thanks.
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    Sean4321Sean4321 Member Posts: 45 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hi, I'm looking for information on a Winchester model 97, serial number 128192. Thanks!
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    Sean4321Sean4321 Member Posts: 45 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Did not see anything on this subject...

    My grandfather left me a:
    MODEL 97-12GA.-2 3/4 CHAM. FULL
    Barrel has #939922
    Action has #E939922

    Any info on this would be helpfull

    I was an E-4 in the USMC, and could not find anyinfo on the gun while in the corps... I have sence severed my time and moved on in life... I wanted to find some info on the gun as sometimes it does not fire the round, and it jams often, some times it will not lock the action when trying to load the next round... I am planning on getting it severced if it is not a valuable gun, and i can find a reputable gun smith in my area...

    Thanks for any and all help on this issue...

    Cpl. Barnhart MD USMC
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    Sean4321Sean4321 Member Posts: 45 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am trying to date a Winchester Model 97. Any suggestions as to how I might be able to date this gun or where to look? Thanks!
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    Sean4321Sean4321 Member Posts: 45 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would like to find out how old it is serial number is 98905 and if if it can be fixed when you pull the slide home the magazine tube pulls out of the receiver.
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    Sean4321Sean4321 Member Posts: 45 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I was rummaging through a closet today and found a Winchester Model 97, 12 gauge, C prefix followed by serial #1105**. It is a solid frame version, 3 screw forearm. The barrel has been shortened to about 24 inches with a Bubba installed bead. The butt plate is missing, appears to have been the steel type. Were the original steel plates checkered? I seem to remember having another that had a smooth steel plate. Someone pirated the ejector spring and screw, may have been me. There is a crack in the wrist of the stock and another one from the bottom forearm screw running back to end of the forearm. Anyway, I am going to go through this one and get it up and running again. Can someone tell me what year it was made? Will it have a 2 3/4 inch chamber?
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    Sean4321Sean4321 Member Posts: 45 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I was just given a winchester model 97 takedown
    sn 788xxx it had a modified choke but the barrel
    has ben cut down to 20 inches
    it this 97 really safe to shoot with modern birdshot
    and buckshot or should I put her in a corner
    and rename her to "old dangerous"
    thanks jody
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    Sean4321Sean4321 Member Posts: 45 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I received a Winchester Model 97 12 Gauge pump 2 3/4" from my Father.
    Can you tell me what year and what is the value of this gun? It is in good condition.
    SN. E958443xxx

    Thanks


    Rick Messner
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    fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    Check www.cruffler.com
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    Sean4321Sean4321 Member Posts: 45 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks, All i could find was 1897...1897 and 97 one in the same?
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    rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    1925 according to this site.


    http://armscollectors.com/sn/winlookup.php
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    texnmextexnmex Member Posts: 1 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I HAVE A MODEL 97 SER #962106 BLUING IS IN GREAT SHAPE, ORIGINAL BUTT PLATE WITH SHORT CASE ( GUN BREAKS IN HALF ). ANY INFO YOU CAN GIVE (YEAR MADE, APPROX VALUE). HAS FULL CHOKE AND 30 INCH BARREL.
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    Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by texnmex
    I HAVE A MODEL 97 SER #962106 BLUING IS IN GREAT SHAPE, ORIGINAL BUTT PLATE WITH SHORT CASE ( GUN BREAKS IN HALF ). ANY INFO YOU CAN GIVE (YEAR MADE, APPROX VALUE). HAS FULL CHOKE AND 30 INCH BARREL.


    Your Model 97 was manufactured circa 1951, and it appears to be a standard Field grade gun. Is the case also made by Winchester? If so, that will add a fair amount of $$ to the value. In order for me to give you an accurate value estimate, I will need to see several photos of your shotgun and case. You can either post them here, or send them to me at Win1885@msn.com
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    Old hickoryOld hickory Member Posts: 1,368 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    E series with 6 digits is in the late 40's or early 50's - one of the last made before clean up of old stock!!
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    Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Old hickory
    E series with 6 digits is in the late 40's or early 50's - one of the last made before clean up of old stock!!



    Ummm... "E" series Model 1897/97s with 6-digit serial numbers were made as early as 1907. I have been informally tracking serials for several years, and the lowest "E" series serial number I have found so far is 331,873. The "E" series was in full production by early 1910, and was unchanged until the end of regular production in 1957.
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