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
Winchester 1897 English Straight Stock
Avatar
AH
Guest
Guests
1
March 29, 2021 - 8:51 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Hello, I cam across a takedown 1897 that is local to me and wondered if this was a period correct stock in 1899.  The seller sent two pics and said is has matching serial 891xx.  Barrel shows “CYL” and a “12” at the top of the barrel nearest the receiver.  The pics they sent show that it has what would be considered an english straight stock.  Would this have been a later replacement stock, or was this a special order option at the time?

Avatar
Bert H.
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 12989
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
March 30, 2021 - 12:10 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

AH,

The Model 1897 was available with a straight grip stock if so ordered, or you bought a Trap Gun. Nearly all of the higher grade Model 1897s (Trap Guns and Tournament grade) were equipped with a “English” style straight grip. The picture below is a cased matched pair (S/N 288808 & 288809) of Black Diamond Trap Guns engraved by John Ulrich. Somebody had a PILE of $$$$ to blow when they were originally ordered), and again 100-years later when they sold at auction!

 

2088808-Right.jpgImage Enlarger

2088809-Right.jpgImage Enlarger
Cased-Pair.jpgImage Enlarger

Bert

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments

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

Avatar
AH
Guest
Guests
3
March 30, 2021 - 2:39 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Thanks Bert, Although it was a nice condition piece, I didn’t end up buying it. Really didn’t like the “feel” of the straight stock compared to the thicker round knob stocks. Felt like I was holding a twig, and I want to be able to enjoy it.

Avatar
clarence
NY
Member
Restricted
Forum Posts: 7119
Member Since:
November 1, 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
March 30, 2021 - 3:12 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory

Bert H. said

The Model 1897 was available with a straight grip stock if so ordered, or you bought a Trap Gun. Nearly all of the higher grade Model 1897s (Trap Guns and Tournament grade) were equipped with a “English” style straight grip.

“English”?  Who says?  For a fast-handling upland bird gun, that’s what many knowledgeable American shooters have always preferred.  Much as I appreciate PGs on rifles, scatterguns are a different animal!   Have had a “Black Diamond” ’97, Lefever, Parker, & Browning all so stocked.

Avatar
Bert H.
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 12989
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
March 30, 2021 - 4:32 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

clarence said

Bert H. said

The Model 1897 was available with a straight grip stock if so ordered, or you bought a Trap Gun. Nearly all of the higher grade Model 1897s (Trap Guns and Tournament grade) were equipped with a “English” style straight grip.

“English”?  Who says?  For a fast-handling upland bird gun, that’s what many knowledgeable American shooters have always preferred.  Much as I appreciate PGs on rifles, scatterguns are a different animal!   Have had a “Black Diamond” ’97, Lefever, Parker, & Browning all so stocked.  

Winchester referred to it as an “English” style stock.  I don’t just make this stuff up…

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

Avatar
rogertherelic
Santa Clara, CA
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 935
Member Since:
January 27, 1992
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
April 10, 2021 - 3:43 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Another point to be made is the size of the person using the gun.  I understand that people living at the turn of the 20th century weren’t as big as people today.  I am not a ‘big’ man and find the smaller “English” style stocks work well and feel more comfortable for myself.  I still use Model 12’s for trap shooting and my favorite is a 1928 vintage “Tournament Trap” with the “English” stock and vent rib.  RDB

Avatar
TXGunNut
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 6474
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
April 11, 2021 - 1:31 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Bert H. said
AH,

The Model 1897 was available with a straight grip stock if so ordered, or you bought a Trap Gun. Nearly all of the higher grade Model 1897s (Trap Guns and Tournament grade) were equipped with a “English” style straight grip. The picture below is a cased matched pair (S/N 288808 & 288809) of Black Diamond Trap Guns engraved by John Ulrich. Somebody had a PILE of $$$$ to blow when they were originally ordered), and again 100-years later when they sold at auction!

 

2088808-Right.jpgImage Enlarger

2088809-Right.jpgImage Enlarger
Cased-Pair.jpgImage Enlarger

Bert  

Well….how do they shoot?Wink

 

Mike

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Board 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
Avatar
Bert H.
Kingston, WA
Admin
Forum Posts: 12989
Member Since:
April 15, 2005
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
April 11, 2021 - 3:38 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print

Mike… I wouldn’t know! I sadly was not the lucky SOB with a PILE of $$$$$ to throw at them.

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

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 4623
Currently Online: wally
Guest(s) 575
Top Posters:
clarence: 7119
TXGunNut: 6474
Chuck: 5876
steve004: 5210
1873man: 4703
deerhunter: 2713
Big Larry: 2559
twobit: 2505
mrcvs: 2213
Maverick: 2042
Newest Members:
drjjpdc
djwalsh
fzando
WASpalding
WinKorm94
Wallyg703
GunLegacy
tcwyb
spikemiller
ob98
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 18
Topics: 14817
Posts: 132607

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 2057
Members: 10054
Moderators: 3
Admins: 4
Administrators: Mike Hager, Bert H., JWA, SethJ
Moderators: Rob Kassab, Brad Dunbar, Heather
Navigation