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January 12, 2024
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I expect Bert can answer this question definitively off the top of his head, but others’ input is also welcomed: I have a nice condition Brush Gun (1903 “C” marked) and, while I don’t expect to be shooting it, am a bit confused as to its chambering. The March 1903 Winchester catalog indicates it is chambered for 2 3/4 inch (smokeless) shells, but I see indications elsewhere that such era M1897 were chambered for 2 5/8 inch shells. Clarification/confirmation on this question would be greatly appreciated.
November 26, 2014
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All of the 12 ga. Model 1897/97 shotguns were made with 2-3/4 inch chambers.
April 15, 2005
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Peter,
I believe that those “indications” you mention are a result of the original Winchester catalog description for the new Model 1897. The attached picture is a scanned copy of the February 1899 Winchester catalog.
As Tom has correctly stated, all Model 1897 Shotguns were factory chambered for a 2¾” shell.
For those that are interested, I have completed a new article for the Winchester Collector magazine discussing the Model 1897 history and production statistics in as much detail as I could scrape together. Due to the size of the article (currently 39 pages), it will most likely be split into multiple parts and published in two or three consecutive issues of the magazine.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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