Sticking safety half-cock on model 1897|Winchester Shotguns|Forum|Winchester Collector

Hello! – Terrance O’Neill with you here from Brownsville, Texas.

I have a vintage model 1897 – made in 1909 – which has a problem.

if I fire it or dry-fire it – or even slam-fire it – no problem.

But if it is fully cocked and I restrain the hammer, then pull the trigger and lower the hammer slowly, the hammer hangs up at the safety-cock
( half-cock ) position…

I’d be grateful if someone can perhaps explain this and suggest how I may correct it.

Many thanks indeed – Terrance…