In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Winchester Model 1897 information
Nj2021
Member Posts: 6 ✭
A have a few shotguns from my grandpa. One of them is a Winchester Model 1897 that looks in very good condition. The serial number is 236595, so based on my limited research it was made in early 1900s. I'm interested if anyone has a value range for this shotgun. Here are some pictures to help show the condition.
Thank you.
Comments
There are a couple on the auction side right now. Search Winchester 1897 black diamond trap. The metal appears to be refinished and that would negatively affect the collector value and the loss of most of the checkering doesn't help either. My guess if you find the right buyer it would be somewhere around $1000. Bob
It's a "Black Diamond", Trap. Very pricy and sought after if original. Unfortunately it appears from your photos, it's been refinished. Quite common in a shotgun that's been shot a lot, for trap shooting over a period of years. Does a number on it's collectors value though. Lot of the big buck Winchester collectors, wouldn't have any interest because of the refinishing. My WAG, $400 to $ 600 to a shooter. Because it is a "Black Diamond" Trap.
Made in Jan. of 1904. Sold for $47 new.
Thank you for the insights. It has not been used for at least 50 years is my guess. It was my great grandfathers and I know my grandpa did not shoot it while in his possession. It does not look refinished to my untrained eyes, but that's something I'll dig into further. Is their a specific part of the shotgun that appears refinished? Barrel? Stock?
Thanks again.
There are several indications that the metal has been lightly polished and reblued. Serial number and screw holes are not as crisp as they should be, screw heads damaged but not showing bare metal, finish in my opinion way to dark for a 100+ year old gun, evidence of slight pitting in the metal under a new blue job. It is hard to tell on my monitor but It doesn't appear there is any checkering on the forend. That would normally wear down like the example on the wrist and sanding and refinishing would remove it. They made over a million 97s over its 60 year span in a lot of variations. The Black Diamond was not a super common version and if in original condition would have been worth more to a collector. 50 Years ago no one thought twice about giving their favorite shotgun a facelift and making it prettier. Your grandfather had good taste in shotguns and it is a nice family heirloom. Bob
Refinished for sure. the blue is not Winchester. A good eye can spot it a mile away.
Don't think the bolt should be blue either. Wood finish is not a Winchester factory look either.
If all is good and sound you have a nice shooter. Note. those guns will slam fire, I think.
I pheasant hunted for several years with a 97 and, yes, they will slam fire as will older Ithaca 37's.
Thank you again for the info. It is a unique gun... probably unique for its time.
It was actually manufactured in mid February of 1904, and the Black Diamond Trap Guns are were not as uncommon as some may believe. Of the 990.522 total Model 1897/97 shotguns manufactured, nearly 4% (39,400) of them were Black Diamond Trap Guns. What is uncommon, are the 16-ga Black Diamond Trap Guns. I have only found a handful of them in the past many years.
WACA Historian & Life Member