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To my knowledge, Winchester never offered a ventilated rib or a solid rib as an, “extra” on the M1897. What I find intriguing is, “why not?” I find this curious given the particularly long time frame (1897 to 1957) that the ’97 was manufactured. Certainly during this manufacture period, their competitors were making shotguns with ribs. I have proof here, to show that Burgess was manufacturing slide action shotguns with ribs in the 1880’s. And of course during the time period referenced, Winchester themselves was manufacturing shotguns with ribs (e.g. the Model 12). How hard would it have been for them to put a rib on a ’97 when they were already putting ribs on their other shotguns? Given ribs on shotguns are not rare – many shooters preferred them – I can’t believe Winchester didn’t receive more than a few requests for a rib on a Model 97. Perhaps their response to the customer was that they should order a Model 12?
I have often had that same question rattle around in my skull. A Solid ribbed Model 1897 would have been well received had Winchester made the decision to make them.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Never noticed that, Steve. Had to pull up file photos of my 1897 Trap and was surprised to see it didn’t have a rib. Maybe the manufacturing process of the 1897 barrel didn’t lend itself to adding a solid rib. I’m a bit fuzzy on the details of Winchesters with vent ribs so won’t hazard a guess there. I read somewhere a vague description of the solid rib manufacturing process, will try to find it tomorrow. May have been Riffle’s excellent Model 12 book.
Mike
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