Resubmitted: 97 Front Sight Question...|Winchester Shotguns|Forum|Winchester Collector

Well…I bought this 97, and it is as close to new as I’m likely to get. It is SWEET! I’ve really been looking for a 16ga, but so is probably everyone else. For the price, I just couldn’t let this 12 pass me by.

Now, I’m primarily a Remington guy, but have had a fair amount of Winchesters pass through my hands over time. In short, virtually everything looked "right" to me…but that bead looked like what I usually see on Remingtons; i.e. it’s round. Most of the beads I have observed on Winnies have a "flattish" top/profile, and I found a photo on the Internet of one of this vintage with that flat profile. And, not only does this bead seem to be mounted high, but when looking into the bore from the chamber I can see a very small protrusion of the bead thread’s bottom; yet there is no indication of any “tampering,” repair or replacement; and there’s no "disruption" (sanding/filing, etc.) of finish inside or out.

Not to offend any devout Winchester man, historically I have noted some “crudeness” to overall fit and finish (Garand owners know this) of certain examples of Winnies, and my conclusion is now that this is one of those oddities. You should see the tree branch “knot” in the buttstock. It’s on both sides, and is very unique to say the least.

Needless to say, your observations have really made me feel at ease, and I will cherish this 97!

Thanks again for sharing your expertise. And, if anyone else has any commentary/observations I’d like to hear it.