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Winchester 1897 English Straight Stock
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AH
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March 29, 2021 - 8:51 pm
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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?

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March 30, 2021 - 12:10 am
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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 Enlarger2088809-Right.jpgImage EnlargerCased-Pair.jpgImage Enlarger

Bert

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AH
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March 30, 2021 - 2:39 am
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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.

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March 30, 2021 - 3:12 am
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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.

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March 30, 2021 - 4:32 am
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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…

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April 10, 2021 - 3:43 pm
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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

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April 11, 2021 - 1:31 am
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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 Enlarger2088809-Right.jpgImage EnlargerCased-Pair.jpgImage Enlarger

Bert  

Well….how do they shoot?Wink

 

Mike

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April 11, 2021 - 3:38 am
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Mike… I wouldn’t know! I sadly was not the lucky SOB with a PILE of $$$$$ to throw at them.

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