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December 27, 2024
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Received mine today – running off to a Skeet Shoot now, will have to critique it later. 
Dan #67288
December 21, 2006
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Bert,I am not much in to shotguns, they do come along once in a while,but I gotta say thanks for Your contribution/study on the 1897, very informative. I am now a little more knowledge able on them. Thanks again Bert for Your efforts.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
April 30, 2023
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Those 1897’s are a rabbit hole of their own!
April 15, 2005
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Henry Mero said
Bert,I am not much in to shotguns, they do come along once in a while, but I gotta say thanks for Your contribution/study on the 1897, very informative. I am now a little more knowledge able on them. Thanks again Bert for Your efforts.
As always, thanks for the positive feed back
Scatterguns (shotguns) were the actual mainstay gun for the majority of the people who settled the west and the North American continent. Nothing was more intimidating than a shotgun loaded with buckshot!
For many years (decades), the Winchester Model 1897 was the primary gun that every small-town Sheriff or Police Department had in their gun racks, banks guards had them handy, railway companies, security companies, stage coaches and Express companies, saloon keepers… etc. It was inevitable that it would be selected to serve with our Military forces around the globe in two World Wars and several other major military conflicts.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Great article, haven’t been to the PO yet to pick it up but enjoyed a preview awhile back. Very helpful in understanding the history and features of a grand old gun. I’m an old school cop and have a lot of respect for a Winchester pump as a fighting gun. My buddy Wes Lanier had some nice 1897’s on his table this past weekend and I needed blinders!
Mike
December 9, 2002
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Gentlemen,
I’m in agreement here on the many comments on this Model. I also enjoy Bert’s work, and look forward to digging in on this article. Being a little busy as of late, I received my copy earlier in the week, and only recently glazed through it, and can’t wait to get into the meat and potatoes on his recent article, which I know that I will enjoy.
Tony
August 8, 2024
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Bert, Read. your article on the Model 1897 last night. Very nicely done. Interestingly at the last OGCA/ WACA last September. I saw a engraved 20 gauge Model 1897. It was in a fancy case, and had a big price on it. The person who owned it said that it was the only Model 1897 made in 20 gauge.
April 15, 2005
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Bo Rich said
Bert, Read. your article on the Model 1897 last night. Very nicely done. Interestingly at the last OGCA/ WACA last September. I saw a engraved 20 gauge Model 1897. It was in a fancy case, and had a big price on it. The person who owned it said that it was the only Model 1897 made in 20 gauge.
I have seen that gun listed for sale several times in the past years… it is a 100% Fake. The last time I encountered it was in the Ward’s Auction in Oregon.
Ward’s August 2019 auction description:
EXTREMELY RARE GOLD INLAID & ENGRAVED Winchester Model 1897 BLACK DIAMOND TRAP, 20 ga. Cal., MFG. 1909, SN: 440708, 2-3/4?, 28” (marked FULL) solid rib 2 bead barrel, Pump Action Shotgun. As far as is known, no production 20 ga. Model 1897s ever left the Winchester factory as there are no records of such. However, it has been said there were several special working prototypes produced. This interesting & possibly unique custom 20 ga. shotgun has the usual Winchester markings on right side. Left side is marked ”MODEL 1897 -WINCHESTER- 20 GA. FULL over -TRADEMARK-”. The operating slide is marked ”MODEL 1897 -WINCHESTER-”. The bolt is engraved ”TRAP GUN”. Action is blued & engraved with large scroll & shaded backgrounds in style closely corresponding to number 6-12 pattern. With six large figures in gold of dogs & quail inlaid on both left & right receiver panels. There is also gold vine inlay at edges of action. The rarity of the gun is featured & discussed with pictures on page 66 of the book ”Winchester Shotguns” by Dennis Adler, forwarded by R.L. Wilson. In it they indicate the panel scenes are reminiscent of early sketches by Conrad F. Urich & John Ulrich. The beautiful flame figured American walnut, straight grip buttstock features hand checkering & inlaid black diamonds on both sides of grip. The small style forend has matching high grade wood & checkering. Buttstock measures 13-3/4? over composition Winchester buttplate. Both metal & wood retain nearly all of their finishes, with slight rub marks on magazine tube from normal operation. Bore is excellent, bright & shiny. Overall condition is minty. Esthetically gorgeous & exceptionally rare as a 20 ga. 1897.* FFL or C&R Req. – Value: 7500 to 15000
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 8, 2024
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Thanks Bert! That is the gun that I saw. Was not interested in buying it. The gun just caught my attention. If I remember right He wanted either $60,000 or perhaps it was $80,000 for the gun. So, I thought it best not to take a closer look.
February 17, 2026
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Great article on the 1897. I always considered getting one, but it was too far down on the list of acquisitions. There seem to be a lot more originals coming out on the market. I am glad to see so many have survived. For a while it appeared they were going to end up with a shortage because so many people around my neck of the woods were cutting the barrels off- for cowboy shooting. Someone told me once that they would pince your thumb with the hammer. I don’t know if that is true or not. I never shot one myself. But they certainly have a unique feature about them. And they are really a gorgeous gun in their own way. They would probably be a great gun to enjoy.
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