Winchester 97

[DnC]

New here, if this isn't allowed or the wrong place just let me know.

I've got a Winchester 97 with basically no finish left, it functions (but I haven't shot it) with a serial number in the 50 thousands only. According to a PDF I got off wheelergunworks.weebly.com winchester_1897_shotgun_dates.pdf

Winchester 1897 Shotgun - Manufacture Dates the following serial numbers were assigned at the end of the years shown below
1899 96999*
1900 129332*
1901 161665*
1902 193998*
1903 226331*
1904 258664
1905 296037 etc

My big questions are...
1) Can anyone confirm if those dates are correct or not?
2) What is something like this even worth?

 

[thevalueman]

I believe there is a 3 gun competition, or something like that....anyway I also believe that one of the events is shotgun, and the Winchester 97 is desirable for that competition....I don't know about the condition of what they use....it's cowboy, so I'd think that condition would not be as important as function....a guess at best

 

[SpeedyR]

Someone with more knowledge that I can probably comment more but I have one with a 193xxx serial number that I was told was manufactured between 1902-1905 and probably 1904, so that matches up pretty close to what you have there.

As mentioned, the 97's are sometimes used in Cowboy Action Shooting/SASS (Single Action Shooting Society). I had mine cut down just a bit by a local gunsmith and plan to use it one day for SASS stuff, but for now it's just a fun shotgun to play with. I won't sell it so I was unconcerned with possible loss of value but cutting it a bit shorter, but figured I'd rather use it, than have it sitting around collecting dust.

I don't recall prices but I seemed to recall they were going for $500-800 depending upon condition and model (this was a few years ago as well). There was a "trench gun" version that I think was worth more, but I don't recall what was different.

Hope that helps!

 

[DnC]

Someone with more knowledge that I can probably comment more but I have one with a 193xxx serial number that I was told was manufactured between 1902-1905 and probably 1904, so that matches up pretty close to what you have there.

As mentioned, the 97's are sometimes used in Cowboy Action Shooting/SASS (Single Action Shooting Society). I had mine cut down just a bit by a local gunsmith and plan to use it one day for SASS stuff, but for now it's just a fun shotgun to play with. I won't sell it so I was unconcerned with possible loss of value but cutting it a bit shorter, but figured I'd rather use it, than have it sitting around collecting dust.

I don't recall prices but I seemed to recall they were going for $500-800 depending upon condition and model (this was a few years ago as well). There was a "trench gun" version that I think was worth more, but I don't recall what was different.

Hope that helps!

SpeedyR, I had heard & have not confirmed with anyone or anything on the internet that these older shotguns really weren't up to snuff for shooting modern shotgun loads. Would you know if that is true or not? Kind of like M1 Garand(s) aren't suppose to shoot modern 30-06 rounds, oh they can but eventually they tend to bend and break stuff.

 

[SpeedyR]

Pretty sure the CAS guys are shooting standard birdshot loads thru them.

 

[cmshoot]

I’ve got a 1903 Winchester 1897 takedown. Had it for over 20 years, and I’ve shot a couple thousand rounds out of it, all modern loads, mostly cheap birdshot. No issues.

 

[longrangedog]

Some of the older Model 97s have 2-1/2" chambers. Although a 2-3/4" shell will load and fire, they're not safe to shoot because the chamber is too short to accommodate the extra shell length of the fired shell which can lead to dangerous pressure increases. I have a 1925 97 original takedown riot gun that belonged to the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.

 

[RSB]

It was the 1893, the predecessor and reason for the 1897's introduction.
Winchester requested customers to return the 93 for a new 97.

All Winchester were short chambered until 27 or 28.

If you buy one have it checked or have a competent Smith recut the chamber 2-3/4" shells.

Until then find and shoot 2-5/8" shells, or don't shoot it!.

Guns were 1897 until 1911ish, then became the model 97.

I love my Winchester 97's, 12's and 42's.

They don't make guns like those anymore and you can still get parts for all of them.

 

[atscott]

OP I believe the Cody Firearms Museum in Wyoming acquired all of the older Winchester records and would have the most accurate manufacture dates. I've seen them referenced in a number of books and other resources.