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"FREED" on 1897 Winchester ?

TWalkerTWalker Member Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited January 2006 in Ask the Experts
I saw an 1897 Winchester shotgun for sale this week with the word "FREED" deeply stamped on the stock pistol grip area. Anyone know why or what it means?
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Comments

  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    No idea, but it is definitely not factory original, an as such, it negatively affects the value.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

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  • TWalkerTWalker Member Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The stamping is only about 3/4 inch long and is at the base of the pistol grip. I thought it might be someone's last name, or have some hidden meaning I was unaware of. Thank you for your reply.
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  • SCOUT5SCOUT5 Member Posts: 16,181 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just think of all the stories that could be told concerning that stamp on that old of gun. Sure it is probably someones name but who cares. It's old enough to have seen a war or three. A 97 is a keeper anyway so have fun with it.


    Scout
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  • roysclockgunroysclockgun Member Posts: 310 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My guesses: FREED from: jail, slavery, marriage, childhood, abuse, in laws, alcoholism/addiction, work and sin.
    I have owned a fair number of old Winchester 97 shotguns. All shot very tight patterns and used to be the preferred goose getter on the Chesapeake Bay, where I hunted. They were also a preferred criminal's firearm, as when broken down, they fit slung under an overcoat. Before goose hunting was heavily regulated, hunters would have and extenstion fitted to the M97 mag, sometimes made from bicycle frame. The extended mag gave greater fire power when a big flight came tolling in.
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