Why the obsession with the Model 1897?

[bushmaster1313]

For some reason I have a strong desire to acquire a 12 gauge Model 1897 riot gun. The high market price is a good indicator that many others seem to be bitten by the same bug.

The Model 1897 seems in every way inferior to the Model 12 (exposed hammer, thumb destroyer, not nearly as smooth, and quite hard to work on even by a gunsmith) but it costs more. Could someone please explain the strange draw that the Model 1897 is exerting on me.

 

[AcceptableUserName]

No Country For Old Men, personally. That's all there is to it. I've watched that movie way, way, way too much. Before that, I was kind of iffy on it. After that, it was all over with. If I was rich, I'd swoop on a clone and SBS/AOW it right this second.

 

[scarredpelt]

SASS members have driven the price of that particular model up due to demand.

 

[Gunfighter123]

SASS members have driven the price of that particular model up due to demand.

Thats the truth --- and I've got THREE

 

[winchester '97]

its an unbelievably nice gun. i have a 30 inch full choke model i shoot trap with, and im looking at one of the IAC trench gun replicas more and more these days. and if that bolt hits your hand in any way your holding it wrong end of story. i can work mine just as fast as any other pump gun. the main reason they are popular is/was durability. mine was made in 1907 and a gunsmith estimated well over half a million rounds through it, and none of the internals show any deforming/exess wear. go for it, you wont regret it.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Just let people around you know that you'd like one, and when you least expect it, one will show up. I've picked up several that way. The best of the bunch is the 1954 production model that cost me $150.00, and the seller was worried that he was asking too much for it. I've yet to pay over $400 for any of mine, and they're all in good condition, even though a couple of them lack any bluing at all.

Like Winchester '97 says, if the bolt hits your thumb, you're doing something wrong. I shoot one of mine at least twice a month in SASS matches and I've yet to come even close to hitting my thumb, and I've been doing this for about 5 years. And I'm loading and shooting as fast as I can.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[plumberroy]

they are just plain old school cool