Hello all, and thanks for giving me the opportunity to take advantage of the collective knowledge of this forum,

I have a Model 1897 that I believe has been in my family since its original purchase.  I believe it’s an early Tournament model.  Here’s the particulars:

-Series “C” mark above serial number of 86058 (from what I’ve seen, this probably puts its manufacture in the later half of 1899)

-12 ga takedown model with 28″ Full Choke and 30″ Full Choke barrels;  both barrels have the serial number found on the receiver

-Both the stock and forearm have checkering and are made of select, nicely figured walnut.  The stock also features two black diamond inlays near the receiver end.  

-There is a slight texturing on the rib of the receiver that I am assuming is the “matted surface” featured on Tournament models.

-The receiver features no engraving, and I can find no “Trap” or “Trap Gun” markings on the receiver or bolt slide.

Overall, I would say the gun is in good condition and that it is, for the most part, original.  The only thing that jumps out at me is that one of the magazine/forearm assemblies on one of the barrels appears to be of a later vintage.  I was wondering if anyone knows if both barrels would have been originally fitted with a magazine/forearm assembly when purchased as a two barrel Tournament model combo in 1899.  My first thought was that someone replaced the magazine on that one barrel.  But, then I began considering the possibility that it only came with one magazine/forearm assembly which would be switched over when the barrels were switched.

Also, I was wondering the general value of these Tournament models with matching barrels, particularly an early “C” series like this one.

Jon