Ever since I first saw the Winchester 1897 up close, I wanted one. I've been searching for one that was manufactured from 1938~1944 for months. Yesterday, I went to a local gun shop to find a magazine for a rifle I've been restoring -- I found one magazine online for $34 and ordered it, but wanted to see if I could find anything cheaper locally. Anyway, they didn't have the magazine I wanted, but before I left I decided to make a pass through their shotguns to see if they had any 1897s. They did! I checked the serial#. 905xxx. 1941 mfg date. F*CK yes. The only problem is that it's a F*CKING 16 gauge instead of a 12 gauge, and I really wanted a 12 gauge. In the condition that this shotgun is in, it's easily worth $450-500, and they wanted $345 for it. It's not exactly what I wanted, but I had to get it anyway. Having one now will allow me to fill that void in my soul and familiarize myself with its extremely complex action and learn how to disassemble/work on the shotgun of my dreams.

So... here it is:

Looks like it's ready to shoot kids off your lawn in style.

Nice old gun,good find.

Very nice!

Hell yeah, man. Do you think it saw action in WWII?

I remember my little brother picking one up last time we went to the gun store. Pretty badass shotgun

nice man my granddaddy has one in 12 gauge never fired it but its a great piece of American history

Doubt it, as the USMC used the 12 gauge version. Having a 16 gauge version that was manufactured just before steel rationing took effect in the USA is a rare find regardless, though. A lot of these weapons were melted down to make other things for the war effort.



Fire it!

thought about it when i was a kid but never actually did and as far as the experience of shooting it its just another 12 gauge to me.i mean i love the history behind it but ...

It's the most beautifully designed shotgun ever. The mechanics of the shotgun are brilliant (a testament to the design genius of John Browning).

I mean... this shotgun was so deadly that Germany accused the USA of committing War Crimes by using it during WWI. How much manlier can you get?

LOL @ Germany accusing anyone of committing war crimes.

What did Germany ever do to deserve a comment like that...? jk :)

Really? That's a fun fact I would never have known. That guns a beast!



What did Germany ever do to deserve a comment like that...? jk :)

dont get me wrong i love the gun just shooting it has never been high on my priority list idk why guess cause ive put thousands of rounds through dozens of different shoties

Not gonna lie, that is perhaps the nicest shotgun I've seen and I would prefer it over a modern design with higher capabilities.

Damn. Who still hasn't ever shot a gun? This guy. I gotta get out there. All you hicks posting guns on here all the time is giving me a boner.

Same, closest I've come is paintball, air soft and a realistic BB pistol.

Same. I got to get shooting sooner or later. Plenty of places in Colorado too. Even got a friend who's dad runs a shooting range. Just gotta find the time to hook up with her.

well my door is open to any n00b passing through va that wants to get some range time in