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April 15, 2005
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Bill,
Maybe… In most cases, “Brush” should have been written in the ledger entry, and the CFM letter would state “Brush”. What is the LOP on your gun? Is the butt plate steel or hard rubber?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 2, 2015
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Bert,
Should have the gun tomorrow and will give you that info.
Thanks,
Bill
February 2, 2015
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Bert
The butt plate is steel and the LOP is 13″.
Thanks,
Bill
April 15, 2005
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Bill,
You do not have a “Brush Gun”. Instead, you have a special order Model 1897. Specifically, the 13″ LOP indicates that it was ordered with a Model 1893 butt stock. The Brush Guns were made with a 13-1/2″ LOP, and with a hard rubber butt plate. The Model 1897s ordered with a Model 1893 butt stock have a 13″ LOP and a steel butt plate.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 2, 2015
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Bert,
Good news, bad news! Good news, I know what it is. Bad news it’s not a brush model. Does the fact that it is special order change it’s value?
Many thanks,
Bill
April 15, 2005
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Bill Brown said
Bert,Good news, bad news! Good news, I know what it is. Bad news it’s not a brush model. Does the fact that it is special order change it’s value?
Many thanks,
Bill
Bill,
The factory letter does not mention the Model 1893 butt stock, so No, there is no premium to the value.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 2, 2015
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Bert,
Not a lot of value, but lots of fun. I decided to refinish the metal with an old fashioned rust blue. Great gun to practice on. Here are the results.
Bill
April 15, 2005
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Bill Brown said
Bert,Not a lot of value, but lots of fun. I decided to refinish the metal with an old fashioned rust blue. Great gun to practice on. Here are the results.
Bill
Bill,
It looks a lot better. Just a quick caution… that old gun is chambered for a 2-9/16″ maximum length shell. The European made 16-ga 2-1/2″ shells are what it will like.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
February 2, 2015
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Thanks Bert. I was aware of this and purchased some RST 2 1/2″ Ultra Lites. Can’t wait to get to the range and fire away.
Bill
November 7, 2015
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Bill Brown said
Thanks Bert. I was aware of this and purchased some RST 2 1/2″ Ultra Lites. Can’t wait to get to the range and fire away.Bill
Bill-
Should be a lot of fun on the skeet field.
Mike
Bill Brown said
Thanks Bert. I was aware of this and purchased some RST 2 1/2″ Ultra Lites. Can’t wait to get to the range and fire away.Bill
Bert,
I found a Winchester 1879 at an estate sale. It was sold as a trench gun, but it is a 16 gauge takedown model. Barrel appears to be 26 inch and it has walnut but stock. The stock plate appears to be plastic, but I could be wrong. It also appears to accept the 2 9/16 shells. The fore end is Groved. The serial number is E580347. I think it is a bruchAny words of wisdom you can give me regarding this gun will be appreciated. Thanks. Don
April 15, 2005
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Clauson said
Bert,
I found a Winchester 1879 at an estate sale. It was sold as a trench gun, but it is a 16 gauge takedown model. Barrel appears to be 26 inch and it has walnut but stock. The stock plate appears to be plastic, but I could be wrong. It also appears to accept the 2 9/16 shells. The fore end is Groved. The serial number is E580347. I think it is a bruchAny words of wisdom you can give me regarding this gun will be appreciated. Thanks. Don
Don,
The serial number identifies it as a March 1913 production gun. All authentic “Trench” Guns were 12-gauge, with a 20-inch CYL bore barrel. From you limited description, it appears to be a standard Field grade gun, but it would help to know what the choke marking is, and what the actual barrel length is. The butt plates were made out of black molded hard rubber.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks for thanks for the information. Just measured the barrel. It is 26 inches. As far as the choke is concerned, the term “full” is stamped about an inch from where the barrel is stamped with 16 gauge. I assume that is referring to the choke. I do not see a removable choke. If the butt plate was once rubber it has hardened to what looks like a hardened black polymer. It is in good shape with no cracks. It is checkered and has the Winchester repeating fire arms co. Insignia in the middle. I gave it to my youngest son on his 16th birthday. He is in love with it.
April 15, 2005
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It is a standard Field grade gun. The “FULL” marking on the barrel is the choke constriction swaged into the barrel. The old hard rubber butt plates do harden with age.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I just picked up a 16 ga. 1897. D282939 takedown model looks to have been reblued at some point a while back. Barrel stamped “cyl” but with the bolt closed, sticking a tape measure down the bore comes up as 25 3/8. Also measuring the length of pull, is it from the trigger or rear trigger guard to the buttplate? It’s 13 to the year of the trigger guard and 13 1/2 to the trigger. Another oddity is it has the checkered metal buttplate with the widows peak inlet. What are your thoughts?
April 15, 2005
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Based on your description, it is not a Brush Gun. Instead, it is a cut down Field grade gun. The barrel length is the first clue, and the butt plate is the next clue.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I have an 1897 Winchester pump action 16 gauge, full choke stamped into the barrel, SN is E-440853 – what can you tell me about it? It belonged to my dad.
April 15, 2005
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Chuck H said
I have an 1897 Winchester pump action 16 gauge, full choke stamped into the barrel, SN is E-440853 – what can you tell me about it? It belonged to my dad.
Hello Chuck,
The S/N tells us that it was manufactured in January 1909. I suspect that it is a field grade gun, but I will first need to see pictures of the gun before I can provide any other details about it.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Chuck H said
Bert H. said
Chuck H said
I have an 1897 Winchester pump action 16 gauge, full choke stamped into the barrel, SN is E-440853 – what can you tell me about it? It belonged to my dad.
Hello Chuck,
The S/N tells us that it was manufactured in January 1909. I suspect that it is a field grade gun, but I will first need to see pictures of the gun before I can provide any other details about it.
Bert
Your email address so I can send the photo?
April 15, 2005
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Chuck H said
Chuck H said
Bert H. said
Chuck H said
I have an 1897 Winchester pump action 16 gauge, full choke stamped into the barrel, SN is E-440853 – what can you tell me about it? It belonged to my dad.
Hello Chuck,
The S/N tells us that it was manufactured in January 1909. I suspect that it is a field grade gun, but I will first need to see pictures of the gun before I can provide any other details about it.
Bert
Your email address so I can send the photo?
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
