Winchester 1897

[dh1633pm]

Went by a gun store in a small town South of Utica. Holy Golly Gee. They had one of everything. Even stuff we can buy in New York like a Ma Duce. And five VZ52’s. But that’s another story for another time.

Back to the post. They had a nice looking 1897. Always wanted one. The action was zip tied closed so I couldn’t look too close. Outside and stock looked good. It’s old of course. Most finish is gone. Since I have always wanted one, I have done my homework. Doesn’t make me even close to an expert by any means. Its tag said $699. I wanted to know what types of things to look for before buying and how to determine price. Thanks.

 

[eastbank]

here that would be a little high for that condition. there are a few parts that wear that need to be looked at, the good is their are parts available. my 97 was made in 1957 and is in very good shape, i have hunted it on nice days.

 

[troy fairweather]

Sounds like a $450 gun to me,

 

[243winxb]

The ejector spring was broke on the one i took in trade, years ago.Before the Cowboy shoots started, early 1980s, there was very little interest in them. Most wanted the M12. But demand for the M12 is now less then the 97.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I'm curious what the small town south of Utica was.

I went to college in Oneonta from 1968 to 1972.

 

[film495]

one of my local shops has a really nice collection of old this and that's on the wall behind the counter. I look at the prices and think to myself, they are priced to be displayed and continue to be displayed, year after year the same ones are there. they are really nice, but - if you watch gunbroker you can find the same things for a better price. I'd rather buy from a local shop, but - not at paying double what I can find for somewhere else. can't hold it first though and look at it online so there's that. ask them to look at it and cycle some snap caps, to check function. see if the bore is rusty - that kind of thing. You'll pop a spring if they are old or original and you'd likely have to go over the whole thing. Ask them if it is consignment or if they went over it and will put a 30 or 90 day warranty on it. sometimes you can find a way to make a deal work if you want to.

 

[tachelberry]

I have a few 1897's and hunted with them on a regular basis. They are nostalgic and bring a smile every time I take them out. As the pheasant numbers have diminished over the last couple of years I have opted for every advantage and now use my M2 Field.

 

[entropy]

You'll want to be sure that when you close the action and you are not holding the trigger down, that the hammer doesn't follow the bolt. Even if the half cock notch stops it, it shouldn't follow. The trigger sear and sear spring would need to be replaced if it does.
Of course, it should follow and strike the firing pin if the trigger is held down.

 

[Kano383]

$699 could be high, and could be cheap... Some of the early 1897 have good collector value, depending on grade, age, conditions, and how original they are. An early, fully original Trap Gun or Pigeon Grade in good conditions would be worth far more than $699, even with little finish left.

What is the serial number? Can you get pictures?