Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
Strange Model 1897 riot gun
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 63
Member Since:
June 7, 2018
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
December 2, 2022 - 7:28 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi guys. I got this early riot gun. It appears to have been made in 1899 and came from the San Bernardino County sheriff. Everything seems OK except it has no place on the left side for the ejector spring. But it will eject. 

There is a ‘nub’ inside the receiver where the ejector spring normally comes through. My question is did Winchester make some of these early guns without the left side ejector? Hope an expert will chime in. I’ve seen dozens of 97’s but this is a first and only. I’m attaching some pictures.IMG_1408-1280x627.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_1409-1280x646.jpgImage EnlargerIMG_1410.JPGImage EnlargerIMG_1417.JPGImage EnlargerIMG_1419-1280x781.jpgImage Enlarger

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 10726
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
December 2, 2022 - 8:05 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hello Jim,

On the early production Model 1897s, the ejector spring was mounted to the inside of the receiver wall (as it is on your gun).  At approximately S/N 84000, the ejector spring was moved to the outside wall of the receiver.  The “nub” you see is the bitter end of the screw that retains the internally mounted ejector spring.

Now for the bad news… as S/N 47231 was originally manufactured and shipped, it was a standard Field grade gun with a 30-inch barrel.  Either the San Bernadino PD had it cut down to Riot length after purchasing it, or the gun is a fake.

Bert

WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
High-walls-1-002-C-reduced2.jpg

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 63
Member Since:
June 7, 2018
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
December 2, 2022 - 8:15 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thanks Bert. No way to know which it is. We measured the barrel and it’s 19″. The marking appear period, but I think you are right. The barrel was cut down. Thanks. I knew someone would know.

Avatar
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 10726
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
December 2, 2022 - 8:18 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Jim Rogers said
Thanks Bert. No way to know which it is. We measured the barrel and it’s 19″. The marking appear period, but I think you are right. The barrel was cut down. Thanks. I knew someone would know.

  

The factory Riot Gun barrel length was 20-inches, and the front bead sight was located precisely .5″ from the muzzle face.

WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
High-walls-1-002-C-reduced2.jpg

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 63
Member Since:
June 7, 2018
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
December 2, 2022 - 8:22 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I didn’t know about the bead location, but my barrel length comment I should have added that I knew riot guns came with a 20″ barrel. That was the meaning of my earlier post. Thanks again.

Avatar
NY
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 6281
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
December 2, 2022 - 9:53 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Jim, is that a crack in the left side of the rcvr just below the hammer spur?

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 63
Member Since:
June 7, 2018
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
December 2, 2022 - 10:09 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

clarence said
Jim, is that a crack in the left side of the rcvr just below the hammer spur?

  

It is.

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4160
Member Since:
November 19, 2006
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
December 2, 2022 - 10:42 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Jim Rogers said

clarence said

Jim, is that a crack in the left side of the rcvr just below the hammer spur?

  

It is.

  

Ouch Frown

Avatar
NY
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 6281
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
December 2, 2022 - 10:54 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Jim Rogers said

clarence said

Jim, is that a crack in the left side of the rcvr just below the hammer spur?

  

It is.

  

One of our members had a ’97 blow up in his face.  Maybe he’ll relate the story.

Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4970
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
December 13, 2022 - 2:38 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

clarence said

Jim Rogers said

clarence said

Jim, is that a crack in the left side of the rcvr just below the hammer spur?

  

It is.

  

One of our members had a ’97 blow up in his face.  Maybe he’ll relate the story.

  

Appears to be consistent with my firing out of battery experience.

2EF1B556-D295-4AE5-BC21-BEDB2F54973C.jpegImage EnlargerE1252B9C-5684-4DB7-AC18-BF019B67009B.jpegImage Enlarger

Mike

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 778
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 153
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 6281
TXGunNut: 4970
Chuck: 4571
1873man: 4282
steve004: 4160
Big Larry: 2324
twobit: 2291
TR: 1710
mrcvs: 1706
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 17
Topics: 12650
Posts: 109995

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1745
Members: 8791
Moderators: 4
Admins: 3
Navigation