Stopped at Cabela's today to stretch my legs after a work road trip and saw an 1897 in the used gun racks. Bluing was heavily worn, wood so-so, sticker said $350. They've got those stupid plastic ties on them so you can't really dry fire them, but the action seemed smooth from what I could tell.
I almost bought it on impulse. I had convinced myself that with the mileage reimbursement from today's trip, it was really a $150 gun...
Thing is, I have no idea what to look for on an 1897. The last old gun I bought was an Ithaca 37 that was actually missing parts and I didn't even notice. I still love it, but that Ithaca wasn't such a smoking deal after the trip to the gunsmith. That experience was the reason the Winchester didn't go home with me today.
Besides obviously missing parts, what should I be looking for on this gun? $350 seems to be a reasonable price from a quick look at closed GB auctions. Does it sound reasonable to you guys?
I never much cared for these guns until I shouldered it. I kinda liked it.
I almost bought it on impulse. I had convinced myself that with the mileage reimbursement from today's trip, it was really a $150 gun...
Thing is, I have no idea what to look for on an 1897. The last old gun I bought was an Ithaca 37 that was actually missing parts and I didn't even notice. I still love it, but that Ithaca wasn't such a smoking deal after the trip to the gunsmith. That experience was the reason the Winchester didn't go home with me today.
Besides obviously missing parts, what should I be looking for on this gun? $350 seems to be a reasonable price from a quick look at closed GB auctions. Does it sound reasonable to you guys?
I never much cared for these guns until I shouldered it. I kinda liked it.