Winchester 1897 26” Mod Choke, 12ga Takedown

[The_Next_Generation]

Hey everyone,

Picked up this old 97 today. It’s definitely a “brown” gun, and seems to function fine. Planning on taking it out shooting soon once I address the crack developing in the stock just behind the receiver…will probably end up refinishing the stock when I do that since it’s pretty oil-soaked and the glue won’t want to stick to it. Acetone soak to start, right?

Unfortunately, it looks like the gun was subjected to some rough steel wool or sandpaper on the flat side of the receiver. Most of the old patina is still present, but the numerous hairline scratches in a single direction make me wonder if bubba got a hold of this thing at some point since it’s 1930-1931 production date..the condition of some of the screws would corroborate that theory as well.

Looks to be a 26” barrel. I have a 28” Wingmaster and it’s about 2” shorter than that. That said, the Wingmaster might have a 30” barrel, I don’t have a dowel rod at this time to measure it. I was considering chopping the 97 barrel to 20” to make it similar to the riot model, but with the non-standard barrel (Mod vs Full choke) I’m thinking I’ll leave it alone.

$380 plus tax seemed like an ok price for what I think is a cool historical shotgun, even if it needs some TLC.

What do you guys think?

Cheers.

Link to Flickr album since they won’t upload from my iPhone: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAu6nB

 

[e rex]

That is a nice old shotgun, to bad it can't talk I bet it has some stories.

 

[Thomasss]

I assume the oil dripped in from the action. If you think there is a lot under the varnish, you may want to strip the varnish with Marine stripper. First warm the stock in an oven 160 degrees is perfect and wrap in cloth towel that will absorb the oil. If it's receiver oil hang it receiver end down and warm it with a hair drier to drip out for a day. Then put the entire stock in hot water mixed with TSP and then put in kitty litter for up to 6 months. Then use Acetone and then wipe down with alcohol. The crack will be next to fix. If it is a hairline, use high quality Super Glue. There are better glues but they will discolor the wood. Spread the crack slightly, off the gun, add glue. clamp closed and allow to dry for 24 hrs. If the crack is worse you may have to insert a dowel or a finishing nail type pin and epoxy it in. An excellent epoxy is J&B Weld. Always look for epoxy oozing out and wipe away before it dries.
You saved over $100 on the gun price. Hope it works out for you.

 

[The_Next_Generation]

I assume the oil dripped in from the action. If you think there is a lot under the varnish, you may want to strip the varnish with Marine stripper. First warm the stock in an oven 160 degrees is perfect and wrap in cloth towel that will absorb the oil. If it's receiver oil hang it receiver end down and warm it with a hair drier to drip out for a day. Then put the entire stock in hot water mixed with TSP and then put in kitty litter for up to 6 months. Then use Acetone and then wipe down with alcohol. The crack will be next to fix. If it is a hairline, use high quality Super Glue. There are better glues but they will discolor the wood. Spread the crack slightly, off the gun, add glue. clamp closed and allow to dry for 24 hrs. If the crack is worse you may have to insert a dowel or a finishing nail type pin and epoxy it in. An excellent epoxy is J&B Weld. Always look for epoxy oozing out and wipe away before it dries.
You saved over $100 on the gun price. Hope it works out for you.

I don’t think it’s too bad, I think it’s whatever was used to wipe down the gun for the last 90+ years. Good points though, I’ll be careful working on this thing but at the end of the day I’m going for functionality.

Rex, I couldn’t agree more. My gun buddy and I were talking about that the other night after I brought it home. Would be cool to see a quick highlight reel of everything the gun has been through.

An interesting point we addressed was how old the tree must have been that supplied the wood! I’d assume most walnut trees back then were harvested like they are now, at around 60-80 years old. Maybe even older? The sapling could’ve been planted around the civil war era! Gotta love old guns.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Good find and a decent price too.

 

[Speedo66]

Neat old gun, always liked them, but never came across one in good shape. One takedown I saw for sale in NY at Numrich Arms, the barrel flopped back and forth sideways quite a bit.

Good luck with your new gun!