Winchester Collector - Forum: Winchester Shotguns

Bert H. on Model 1897 takedown question

Sun, 31 May 2026 17:30:11 +0000

MotorCDR said

Am I correct in believing that the 20" bbl was measured from the breech block to muzzle?

Yes. The correct measurement is from the bolt face to the muzzle face. Close the action fully and then insert a rod or dowel down the bore until it bottoms out on the bolt face, mark at the muzzle face and measure.

Bert

MotorCDR on Model 1897 takedown question

Sun, 31 May 2026 17:17:17 +0000

Cool, I figured that it was supposed to have a little room, but wasn't sure.

For being 106 years old, it's in good shape. I'm looking forward to getting out to shoot it, then it will go in my classic 1973 GMC Motorhome as a coach gun.

Am I correct in believing that the 20" bbl was measured from the breech block to muzzle?

Bert H. on Model 1897 takedown question

Sun, 31 May 2026 17:02:33 +0000

MotorCDR said
S/N 7218xx.

The takedown itself looks normal, it is only the mag tube that may be an issue. Is the back end of the tube itself supposed to be tight against the receiver, or is that small gap normal?

To be more clear, when reassembling, I pushed the mag tube all the way to the bottom, but it would not turn to engage the lugs -- I can feel it hitting the end of the lugs. Pulling the tube out a bit they engage fine, with a final gap (seen through the loading port) of about 1/16" or so.

The serial number indicates that it was a March 1920 production gun.

The magazine tube should not be pushed tightly to the bottom of the receiver frame when rotating it back into its final assembled position.

Bert

MotorCDR on Model 1897 takedown question

Sun, 31 May 2026 16:54:24 +0000

S/N 7218xx.

The takedown itself looks normal, it is only the mag tube that may be an issue. Is the back end of the tube itself supposed to be tight against the receiver, or is that small gap normal?

To be more clear, when reassembling, I pushed the mag tube all the way to the bottom, but it would not turn to engage the lugs -- I can feel it hitting the end of the lugs. Pulling the tube out a bit they engage fine, with a final gap (seen through the loading port) of about 1/16" or so.

Bert H. on Model 1897 takedown question

Sun, 31 May 2026 08:16:31 +0000

The serial number will tell me precisely when it was manufactured. The MOD choke suggests that it originally had a 28-inch barrel.

If the Take Down was tight before you disassembled it, but now has a gap, you did something wrong when you reassembled it.

Pictures of the gun and all of the factory markings on the barrel, slide bar, and receiver frame would be beneficial in evaluating the gun.

Bert

MotorCDR on Model 1897 takedown question

Sun, 31 May 2026 01:22:09 +0000

Just got a garden-grade 97 (according to the serial number lists, 1920 mfg). Originally MOD, some PO cut it to about 23" -- I intend to cut it to 20" and eventually put the bayonet/heatshield on it. This will be for practical use in my RV, as will be the Model 12 I'm looking for an extra barrel for.

I took it down to clean, then in reassembling it, the mag tube wouldn't rotate if pushed all the way in. I was able to reassemble, but there is a tiny gap between the receiver and the end of the mag tube. Is this normal, or am I getting it wrong?

Looking at the wear on the barrel, it looks like the ears on the front end of the mag have worn through the bluing about 1/16 of an inch behind where they are now -- not a full thread's worth of spacing.

Bert H. on Winchester Model 21 Information needed

Sat, 30 May 2026 16:40:00 +0000

EFS said
Hello,
How can I insert pictures?

Posting Pictures - 2024 | Forum Rules and FAQs | Forum | Winchester CollectorWinchester Collector

Bert H. - Admin

EFS on Winchester Model 21 Information needed

Sat, 30 May 2026 16:37:03 +0000

Hello,

How can I insert pictures?

Bert H. on 1933 Winchester model 21 12 gauge questions need answers

Fri, 29 May 2026 22:49:48 +0000

Unfortunately, we have less information about your Model 21 than the CFM does... especially without clear detailed pictures of it.

Bert

EFS on 1933 Winchester model 21 12 gauge questions need answers

Fri, 29 May 2026 19:11:52 +0000

Hello, I just acquired this Winchester model 21 side-by-side serial number 1777. Date of manufacture is 1933. Cody Museum does not have any records for this period so I’m reaching out to this group to give me information about this shotgun.

Rick C on New 1897 acquisition

Wed, 27 May 2026 16:21:23 +0000

My bad Bert. I will try and take some other photos. I took them the same as I always did, but maybe the zoom was on or something. I’m not much of an IT guy.
Thanks on the 1897. I thought you might like this one. Appreciate your comment.

Bert H. on New 1897 acquisition

Wed, 27 May 2026 16:17:17 +0000

Rick,

Four of the pictures you tried to upload are way over the 3 MB size limit.

Nice looking D-series Model 1897

Bert

Rick C on New 1897 acquisition

Wed, 27 May 2026 16:14:16 +0000

Thanks Mike. For the past while or so my photos go super sized after I upload them and makes it hard to navigate when postng. It’s never done that before. And an entirely different issue of my profile not found when trying to edit. Bert said they’re working on the issue.

TXGunNut on New 1897 acquisition

Wed, 27 May 2026 15:53:48 +0000

Nice find, looking forward to seeing the rest of the pics.

Mike

Rick C on New 1897 acquisition

Wed, 27 May 2026 15:24:32 +0000

Owner said it was in the family for at least the past 80yrs and was a true closet queen. Don’t often find them in this condition. $1000 U.S - DOM 1906. Half of my photos won’t load for some reason.