[email protected] said
Have you ever run across a 16 gauge with Black Diamond wood?

  

Yes I have, but they are very few & far between.  Winchester did manufacture a small number of 16-ga Black Diamond Trap guns.  Thus far, I have (14) of them documented in my research survey. Additionally, I have (2) Pigeon grade 16-ga Model 1897 shotgun in the survey.

Per my research survey, the 16-ga guns account for 13.48% of the total Model 1897/97 production.  If that is an accurate production ratio, that indicates that 133,500 of the 990,521 Model 1897s that were manufactured were 16-ga guns.  The vast majority of them were standard Field grade guns, and most of them with the short 2-9/16″ chamber.

Bert

Jordan said
Bert,

I recently acquired a Winchester 1897 that I believe to be a Takedown Brush Gun. Along with some pictures that I will provide the serial number is C – 55340, it has a 26″ barrel with a stamped 12 MOD choke. Just curious if you have any information to go along with this particular gun. Thanks in advance.

  

Your Model 1897 is indeed a factory original Brush Gun. It was manufactured September 2, 1898, and as such, it is a bona fide antique.  The MOD choke was optional feature (CYL was standard).  It appears to be in very nice condition considering its age.

Bert

Jordan said

Bert H. said

Jordan said

Bert,

I recently acquired a Winchester 1897 that I believe to be a Takedown Brush Gun. Along with some pictures that I will provide the serial number is C – 55340, it has a 26″ barrel with a stamped 12 MOD choke. Just curious if you have any information to go along with this particular gun. Thanks in advance.

  

Your Model 1897 is indeed a factory original Brush Gun. It was manufactured September 2, 1898, and as such, it is a bona fide antique.  The MOD choke was optional feature (CYL was standard).  It appears to be in very nice condition considering its age.

Bert

  

Thanks for the information Bert. My guess is that it was re-blued at some point in its life, not certain, but I picked this up at my local gun store so per your information I’d guess that it is a pretty good find.

Please send the pictures you posted directly to my email – [email protected]

Bert