Zeke Menuar
Member
Just recieved one of the family shotguns. You know, the kind that gets bounced around from family member to family member. This one is a very well used Winchester Model 1897 take-down model with full choke. This particular example has been around the block. There is about 60% bluing left, and the wood is only fair. There is the remains of a red recoil pad. I cannot tell if the buttstock was altered to make the pad fit. The SN is 343XXX D indicating a 1906 or 1907 date of manufacture(thanks to http://www.marauder13.homestead.com/index.html). The action works so-so. There is a bind at the beginning of the stroke. In order to work the action the forearm must be jiggled ever so slightly or the action won't work. Need to find out why the bind is happening and see if I can fix it. I don't think there is any other major issues. I plan to go over it with steel wool and flitz to remove the surface rust( there is a little, not too bad) and get it shooting again. According to my Grandfather this gun belonged to my Great-Grandfather. Plan to research the ownership of this gun a bit more also.
If there are are any 1897 Winchester experts that can weigh in on the cycling problem I would appreciate the help. This project is part of my crusade to get fine old guns out of the gun cabinet and out in the field. This gun sat in the cabinet for at least 30 years that I know of.
Thanks
ZM
If there are are any 1897 Winchester experts that can weigh in on the cycling problem I would appreciate the help. This project is part of my crusade to get fine old guns out of the gun cabinet and out in the field. This gun sat in the cabinet for at least 30 years that I know of.
Thanks
ZM