Inheirited a pair of Winchester 1897s

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Kar-el

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I have recently inheirited a pair of Winchester 1897s. These will be passed down to my children, so as far as collector's value I am not very concerned-unless what I suggest is utterly stupid.

They are serial numbered 46,XXX and 256,XXX. That puts one at 1898 and one at 1912? The older of the two has a repair done on the receiver-a cracked was fixed with a band-aid like patch of metal. It's finish is non existant and the stock has chips and cracks. It has a imp cyl bore.

The other has two barrels, one is serial numbered the same as the gun(full), the other is serial no. 350,XXX (modified). Condition slightly better than the older one but with no repairs.

I would like to have these gun rebuilt/refinished. Is this a good/bad/utterly stupid idea? Who would I send them to and is it possible to fix the old one?

Thanks, Karl
 
A couple of points:

1. Check the chamber length. I think certainly the 1898 gun, and possibly the 1912 gun as well, would be chambered for 2½" shotshells (unless they were later reamed out for 2¾" rounds).

2. You might also want to check whether they're safe with modern smokeless propellants. Barrel construction will have a lot to do with this. I know some early 1897's in CAS shoots have disassembled themselves all over the landscape on a diet of relatively hot modern birdshot loads.

3. You'd have to get a gunsmith specializing in these guns to go over all the fiddly internals to check for wear.

I have a 1920's-production takedown 1897, and love it. They're great guns, and I wouldn't part with mine except in dire emergency.
 
There's a lot of information at www.ronsgunshop.com on metal polishing, original finishes, woodwork, welding, etc.

Check out these before and after pictures.

www.ronsgunshop.com/92resto.html

leftsidecomp.jpg
 
Preacherman, do you know of any good gunsmiths in the Mid Michigan area who deal in 1897s? Or anywhere elese for that matter?

John BT, thanks for the link!
 
Awesome a '97 from the 19-teens is the first 12 guage I hunted with in the mid 80's. I can't wait until I reach that firearm on my list of items to buy, enjoy those firearms.

Charby
 
Over the last 10+ years, Cowboy Action Shooting has done a lot for the 97 in terms of smiths.

There are few names that come up often, but nothing comes to my head for Michigan.

Coyote Cap, the Cowboy and Indian Store, and Walker 47 come to mind as three shops with solid histories of work on the 1897.

I had this 97 tuned up and refinished by a friend.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=110005&highlight=1897

Best of luck.
 
Just my opinion, but I'd leave it in as close to original condition as possible. If necessary, replacement wood and parts can be had either from Gun Parts Corp. or Jack First Inc.

Complete dissasembly of the '97 can be tricky, as can reassembly. I recently refinished one of mine, taking it down to the last of its 80+ parts. When I bought it, it had been abused and neglected. I refinished it using Brownells Baking Lacquer in light gray parkerizing color. While I prefer the blue of the original, doing nothing would have left it to rust more.

Denny
 

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Outstanding gunsmith I've known and used for years is B. McDaniel in Holly
Michigan I believe. He's worked on my Perazzis and Berettas. Also had him work on a 97 I had about 30 years ago. Can't recall the exact address but he's a nationally known gunsmith. Another good gusmith is Snapp's I believe he is in Claire or Midland. Been 27 years since I lived in Michigan. But either would be fine places to start.
 
OK guys, that's about enough pics of 97's. You're killing me.

Seriously, very nice examples. If Karl's come out that nice, wow. Two of them......?

Mike
 
Unfortunately, they will need quite a bit of work to look like the after pics. :uhoh:

But I suppose they are better then the "Long Tom" 16 gauge that I also received. A single shot that looks like that owner took to swinging at the prey cause the gun wouldn't fire! ;)

I really need to figure out how to post pics-cause I know these posts stink with no pics!
 
Congrats on the inheritance, two shotguns like those are an awesome family heirloom. I would leave them in original condition as much as possible, with the exception of things needed to be done to keep them around for future generations to enjoy.

I would treat them like milsurps and clean them up but I wouldn’t refinish the wood or do anything to the metal unless it’s absolutely necessary. Part of the magic of these guns is the history (in my opinion) so keeping them as close to original is nice. That said, If the gun is going to rust to pieces maybe something like Denny did to his gun is in order. Either way you go I am looking forward to some before and after pictures.
 
But I suppose they are better then the "Long Tom" 16 gauge that I also received. A single shot that looks like that owner took to swinging at the prey cause the gun wouldn't fire!
Click to expand...

Hey! I've got one of those. It was my father's and his father's etc.... 16 gauge and all. Dad swears the barrel is bent and it can shoot around corners.
I took it out to bust hand-tossed clays and it did OK. It really slings the empties when you open it though!
I recall when Dad gave it to me that he said that all "Pop" did to maintain it was to drag an old stocking, that he kept in a jar filled with oil, through the bore after a day's meat gathering. The bore is pretty nice so I guess it worked!

Mike
 
Hey 9mmMike.


Do you have any more information on the "Long Tom"? Who made it and when? Half the fun in getting these old beaters is finding out some of the history!
 
I do not have any good intel on these guns but I have read that they (or many) were sold through Sears.
I don't know if they're all this way but mine is very short stocked. As I recall, Dad has said that "pop" was not a big man and I do not know if he shortened the stock to fit. If it was shortened, it was well done.
This is strictly a meat gathering tool and has the inital's "CP" (pop's initials) stamped into the stock like you might mark your own tools. Oddly enough those are Mrs. 9mmMike's initials...........
I also remember the only other thing Dad told me when he gave me this gun..."No high-brass!". I believe him.
 
A quick note about "Long Toms"....

Long Tom is both a brand name and a generic term for a long barreled single shot shotgun. Some barrels ran up to 48". You can start a good discussion in a shotgunner bar by stating one or the other definitely came first.

NONE of these is fit for high pressure modern ammo. Some, after checking by a qualified smith, may be shot with light loads. Be watchful for short chambers and over headspace.

Much as I like using family guns, these are best just cherished and admired for the most part.....
 
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