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I picked up a Winchester 1897 Brush Gun.
26” barrel.
Cylinder choke.
Serial number E 431066
The red book puts DOM at 1907 I believe.
Nice wood grain.
I couldn’t find the survey but thought someone might like the info.
Joel,
Thanks for posting it… I have added it to the research survey. You were off by one line in the Red Book… it is a late 1908 production gun, and an early “E” series.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Hello I’m not sure if this forum is still active but I just recently acquired a Winchester Model 1897 12ga shotgun. From my brief searching it appears to be a “brush gun” and possibly made sometime between 1911 and 1914. One serial number lookup website I found says it was made in 1914 but I’m not completely sure on those dates.
The Serial # is E 520872 and the barrel length (measured from the receiver joint) is about 24 5/8 in. The brush guns I saw should have a 26in barrel so not sure why this one is shorter (maybe custom made??)
Anyways, if you have any input on this gun it would be greatly appreciated. I’m curious to know more about it.
Lee M said
Hello I’m not sure if this forum is still active but I just recently acquired a Winchester Model 1897 12ga shotgun. From my brief searching it appears to be a “brush gun” and possibly made sometime between 1911 and 1914. One serial number lookup website I found says it was made in 1914 but I’m not completely sure on those dates.The Serial # is E 520872 and the barrel length (measured from the receiver joint) is about 24 5/8 in. The brush guns I saw should have a 26in barrel so not sure why this one is shorter (maybe custom made??)
Anyways, if you have any input on this gun it would be greatly appreciated. I’m curious to know more about it.
Lee,
The correct way to measure the barrel length is to close the action on an empty chamber, then run a cleaning rod down the bore until it bottoms out on the bolt face. Mark and then measure the rod where it exits the bore.
You did not mention what the choke marking on the barrel of your Model 1897 is… it should be marked “CYL” if it is a true Brush Gun. Additionally, measure the LOP (Length Of Pull) of the butt stock. The Brush Guns were made with a shorter LOP than the standard Model 1897 shotguns.
S/N 520872 was manufactured in March of 1911.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Lee M said
Hello I’m not sure if this forum is still active but I just recently acquired a Winchester Model 1897 12ga shotgun. From my brief searching it appears to be a “brush gun” and possibly made sometime between 1911 and 1914. One serial number lookup website I found says it was made in 1914 but I’m not completely sure on those dates.
The Serial # is E 520872 and the barrel length (measured from the receiver joint) is about 24 5/8 in. The brush guns I saw should have a 26in barrel so not sure why this one is shorter (maybe custom made??)
Anyways, if you have any input on this gun it would be greatly appreciated. I’m curious to know more about it.
Lee,
The correct way to measure the barrel length is to close the action on an empty chamber, then run a cleaning rod down the bore until it bottoms out on the bolt face. Mark and then measure the rod where it exits the bore.
You did not mention what the choke marking on the barrel of your Model 1897 is… it should be marked “CYL” if it is a true Brush Gun. Additionally, measure the LOP (Length Of Pull) of the butt stock. The Brush Guns were made with a shorter LOP than the standard Model 1897 shotguns.
S/N 520872 was manufactured in March of 1911.
Bert
Hi Bert, thanks for your quick reply.
Yes I remeasured it and it’s a 26in barrel and it has CYL it also. The LOP is 14in.
So this appears to be a true Brush gun and a treasure. 
It’s also in very good working condition too, it just needs a little oiling.
Lee,
The LOP for the Brush Gun should be 13-1/2″ as measured from the center of the trigger to the center of the butt stock. The LOP for a standard Model 1897 (Field grade) was 13-3/4″.
Is your Model 1897 a Solid frame or a Take Down?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Lee,The LOP for the Brush Gun should be 13-1/2″ as measured from the center of the trigger to the center of the butt stock. The LOP for a standard Model 1897 (Field grade) was 13-3/4″.
Is your Model 1897 a Solid frame or a Take Down?
Bert
Hi Bert, I took another more accurate measurement at the butt stock center and it’s 13-3/4 in.
Last time I was measuring closer towards bottom of the butt stock tip. Did they make standard models (Field grade as you mentioned) with the 26in barrel?
Also it doesn’t appear to be a take down model.
Lee,
It could be a Field grade gun with a special order 26-inch CYL bore barrel, or a Brush Gun with a special order standard LOP stock (I would call it the latter of the two options).
Can you send me pictures of the gun to include the factory markings on the barrel and slide bar assembly?
Bert – [email protected]
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Lee,It could be a Field grade gun with a special order 26-inch CYL bore barrel, or a Brush Gun with a special order standard LOP stock (I would call it the latter of the two options).
Can you send me pictures of the gun to include the factory markings on the barrel and slide bar assembly?
Bert – [email protected]
Ok sure Bert, I’ll take a couple of pics and send to you.
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