Nindi5

• Winchester 1897 Serial Numbers
• Winchester 1897 Serial Number List
• Winchester 1897 Serial Number Lookup
• Winchester 1897 Serial Number Search

The Winchester Model 1897, also known as the Model 97, M97, or Trench Gun, is a pump-actionshotgunwith an external hammer and tube magazine manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. The Model 1897 was an evolution of the Winchester Model 1893 designed by John Browning. From 1897 until 1957, over one million of these shotguns were produced. The Model 1897 was offered in numerous barrel lengths and grades, chambered in 12 and 16 gauge, and as a solid frame or takedown. The 16-gauge guns had a standard barrel length of 28 inches, while 12-gauge guns were furnished with 30-inch length barrels. Special length barrels could be ordered in lengths as short as 20 inches, and as long as 36 inches. Since the time the Model 1897 was first manufactured it has been used by American soldiers,^[1] police departments,^[2] and hunters.^[2]

• 1History
• 2Description
• 3Military use

Several years into the production run, Winchester made a large number of changes all at once and decided to give it a new model name (1897), but continued the serial number sequence. When the first Model 1897s were maded (circa serial number 34,000), there was not a letter above the serial number. (Serial Number Reference) Winchester Firearms Manufacturing Dates by Serial Number and Year 1866 through the early 1990s Below is the download link for a special resource for dating Winchester firearms.

History[edit]

The Winchester Model 1897 was designed by American firearms inventor John Moses Browning. The Model 1897 was first listed for sale in the November 1897 Winchester catalog as a 12 gauge solid frame. The 12 gauge takedown was added in October 1898, and the 16 gauge takedown in February 1900.^[3] Originally produced as a tougher, stronger and more improved version of the Winchester 1893, itself an improvement on the early Spencer pump gun, the 1897 was identical to its forerunner, except that the receiver was thicker and allowed for use of smokeless powder shells, which were not common at the time. The 1897 introduced a 'take down' design, where the barrel could be taken off – a standard in pump shotguns made today, like the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 series. Over time, 'the model 97 became the most popular shotgun on the American market and established a standard of performance by which other kinds and makes of shotguns were judged, including the most expensive imported articles'.^[2] The Winchester Model 1897 was in production from 1897 until 1957. It was in this time frame that the 'modern' hammerless designs became common, like the Winchester Model 1912 and the Remington 870. The Model 1897 was superseded by the Winchester Model 1912.^[4] However, the gun can still be found today in regular use.

Improvements from the 1893[edit]

While designing the new Model 1897, many of the weaknesses present in the earlier Model 1893 were taken into account and remedied.^[3] These improvements included:

• The frame was strengthened and made longer to handle a 12 gauge ​2³⁄₄-inch shell, as well as the ​2⁵⁄₈-inch shell.^[3]
• The top of the frame was covered so that the ejection of the fired shell was entirely from the side.^[3] This added a great amount of strength to the frame of the gun and it allowed the use of a ​2³⁄₄ inch shell without the danger of the gun constantly jamming.^[5]
• The action could not be opened until a slight forward movement of the slide handle released the action slide lock. In firing, the recoil of the shotgun gave a slight forward motion to the slide handle and released the action slide lock which enabled immediate opening of the action. In the absence of any recoil, the slide handle had to be pushed forward manually in order to release the action slide lock.^[3]
• A movable cartridge guide was placed on the right side of the carrier block to prevent the escape of the shell when the shotgun was turned sideways in the act of loading.^[3]
• The stock was made longer and with less drop.^[3]

Of these improvements, the slide lock is the one that made the Model 1897 into a safe firearm. This improved slide lock kept the shotgun locked until actual firing occurred which prevented it from jamming in the case of a misfire. The slide lock 'stands in such a relation to the body of the firing pin as will prevent the firing pin reaching the primer until the pin has moved forward a sufficient distance to insure locking of the breech bolt'.^[6] This prevents the action sleeve 'from being retracted by the hand of the gunner until after firing, and hence rendering the firearm more safe'.^[7]

Description[edit]

The Winchester Model 1897 and the Winchester Model 1893 were both designed by John Browning. The Model 1897 is an external hammer shotgun lacking a trigger disconnector. This means that the user can hold the trigger down while cycling the shotgun and once the action is returned to battery the shotgun fires.^[8] The firearm itself is classified as a slide action pump shotgun. It was the first truly successful pump-action shotgun produced. Throughout the time period the Model 1897 was in production, over a million of the type were produced in various grades and barrel lengths. 16-gauge guns had a standard barrel length of 28 inches, while 12-gauge guns were furnished with 30-inch length barrels. Special length barrels could be ordered in lengths as short as 20 inches, and as long as 36 inches. Along with various grades and barrel lengths, the Model 1897 came in two different chamberings. One was the 12 gauge and the other was the 16 gauge.^[8] The shells should be of the ​2³⁄₄ inch or ​2⁵⁄₈ inch model.^[3] Any shells larger are not recommended. An average Model 1897 can hold 6 shotgun shells in the magazine tube.^[9] When working the action of the Model 1897 the forend (fore grip) is pulled back, forcing the breech bolt to the rear which extracts and then ejects the spent shell while simultaneously cocking the external hammer by pushing it to the rear. When the forend is slid forward again, the breech bolt pushes a fresh shell into the gun's chamber and locks into place.

The Chinese company Norinco has made an effort to reproduce this firearm. The Norinco 97 is an almost exact copy of the Winchester 1897, produced in both Trench and Riot grades, yet lacking in the fit and finish of the originals.^[1]

Grades of the Model 97[edit]

Original prices[edit]

When the Model 1897 was first introduced, the price depended upon what grade was being purchased and what features were being added to that specific shotgun. To purchase a plain finished shotgun would cost the buyer $25, whereas an engraved receiver with checkered and finer wood included cost $100.^[8] The more expensive grades of the Model 1897 were the standard, trap, pigeon, and tournament grades. These were the grades that were normally equipped with an engraved receiver and with checkered, finer wood.^[4][14] The less expensive and plainer grades were the Brush, Brush Takedown, Riot, and Trench. These grades were not given the higher valued wood or special designs.^[4][14] This is because these guns were designed and built for hard abuse. These grades stood a higher chance of being badly damaged so there was no need to put extra money into them for appearance purposes. As the functions that were performed with these grades required them to be lightweight, it was not beneficial to use heavy and expensive wood when designing them. Most often, when these grades were purchased, they were purchased in high numbers. By designing these grades with standard wood and finish, it kept the prices at a lower level.^[4][14]

Military use[edit]

The Model 1897 was issued to American soldiers during the Philippine-American War of 1898. This first major use of issued shotguns by the United States military involved 200 weapons procured and sent to the Philippines in 1900. They were employed in countering Moro tribesmen who engaged the Americans in close-quarter combat using knives and swords.^[15] (See: juramentado)

During the Punitive Expedition in Mexico, some US soldier were also equipped with M97s.^[16] Already popular before World War I, sales of the Model 1897 picked up after the war broke. This was because many were produced to meet the demands of the military. When the United States entered World War I, there was a need for more service weapons to be issued to the troops. It became clear to the United States just how brutal trench warfare was, and how great the need was for a large amount of close-range firepower while fighting in a trench, after they had observed the war for the first three years.^[1] The Model 1897 Trench grade was an evolution of this idea. The pre-existing Winchester Model 1897 was modified by adding a perforated steel heat shield over the barrel which kept the soldier's hands off a hot barrel,^[17] and an adapter with bayonet lug for affixing an M1917 bayonet.^[1]

This model was ideal for close combat and was efficient in trench warfare due to its 20-inch cylinder bore barrel. Buckshot ammunition was issued with the trench grade during the war. Each round of this ammunition contained nine 00 (.33-caliber) buckshot pellets. This gave considerable firepower to the individual soldier by each round that was fired.^[2] This shorter barrel and large amount of firepower is what made this grade ideal for trench warfare.

It has been said that American soldiers who were skilled at trap shooting were armed with these guns and stationed where they could fire at enemy hand grenades in midair.^[2] This would be impractical, and near impossible, as the weapons were not loaded with any sort of birdshot.^[2]

Unlike most modern pump-action shotguns, the Winchester Model 1897 (versions of which were type classified as the Model 97 or M97 for short) fired each time the action closed with the trigger depressed (that is, it lacks a trigger disconnector). Coupled with its five-shot capacity, this made it effective for close combat, such that troops referred to it as a 'trench sweeper'. This characteristic allowed troops to fire the whole magazine with great speed. The Model 1897 was so effective, and feared, that the German government protested (in vain) to have it outlawed in combat.^[18] The Model 1897 was used again in World War II by the United States Army and Marine Corps, where it was used alongside the similarly militarized version of the hammerless Model 1912.^[19] Some were still in service during the Korean War^[20] and the Vietnam War.^[21]

Other military uses of the shotgun included 'the execution of security/interior guard operations, rear area security operations, guarding prisoners of war, raids, ambushes, military operations in urban terrain, and selected special operations'. Despite protesting them, Germans did not listen to Ludendorff and decided to use and unofficially adopt the M1897 for their own use with modifications and named it 'trench mouser' and mainly place them with stormtroopers.^[18]

World War I protests[edit]

Although the Model 1897 was popular with American troops in World War I, the Germans soon began to protest its use in combat. 'On 19 September 1918, the German government under Ludendorff issued a diplomatic protest against the American use of shotguns, alleging that the shotgun was prohibited by the law of war.'^[18] A part of the German protest read that '[i]t is especially forbidden to employ arms, projections, or materials calculated to cause unnecessary suffering' as defined in the 1907 Hague Convention on Land Warfare.^[2] This is the only known occasion in which the legality of actual combat use of the shotgun has been raised.^[18] However, the United States interpreted their use of the shotgun differently than Germany. The Judge Advocate General of the Army, Secretary of State Robert Lansing carefully considered and reviewed the applicable law and promptly rejected the German protest.^[18] France and Britain did use shotguns in trench warfare weapons during World War I. The shotgun in question was a double-barreled shotgun, which was not used because they were unable to obtain high powered ammunition and that type of gun is slow to reload in close combat.^[18]

German response[edit]

The rejection of their protest greatly upset the German forces, because they believed they were treated unjustly in the war. Shortly after the protest was rejected, Germany issued threats that they would punish all captured American soldiers that were found to be armed with a shotgun.^[2] This led to the United States issuing a retaliation threat, stating that any measures unjustly taken against captured American soldiers would lead to reprisals by the United States on captured German soldiers.^[22]

Other uses[edit]

After the war, a shorter-barrelled version of the Model 1897 was marketed by Winchester as a riot gun. Messengers of The American Express Company were armed with this weapon as were various police departments throughout the US.^[2] The differences between this riot version and the trench version were the riot version lacked the heat shield and bayonet lug,^[1] and all trench guns were equipped with sling swivels, whereas most riot guns were not.^[8]

Users[edit]

• Iran^[23]
• Philippines^[24]
• United States
• Vietnam

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^ ^abcdeDavis (2006)
2. ^ ^abcdefghiWilliamson (1952) p. 158.
3. ^ ^abcdefghHenshaw (1993) p. 49.
4. ^ ^abcdMiller (2005) p. 694, Miller.
5. ^Farrow (1904) p. 335
6. ^Smith (1911) p. 5
7. ^Smith (1911) p. 4
8. ^ ^abcdHager (2005)
9. ^https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OukmFnhUCM
10. ^Wilson (2008) pp.214–219
11. ^ ^abcdefMiller (2006) p. 98
12. ^Miller (2006) p. 99
13. ^Wilson(2008). p.220
14. ^ ^abcCarmichel (1986) p. 78–79
15. ^Miskimon, Christopher (3 June 2016). 'The Short-range Shotgun'. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
16. ^Thompson(2013). p.34
17. ^Lewis (2007) p. 162
18. ^ ^abcdefParks (1997)
19. ^Thompson(2013). pp.55-56
20. ^Thompson(2013). p.58
21. ^Thompson(2013). p.62
22. ^Williamson (1952) p. 159.
23. ^'WWII weapons in the Ayatollah's Iran'. wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com. 16 October 2016.^{[self-published source]}
24. ^Thompson(2013). p.11

Bibliography[edit]

• Boorman, Dean K. (2001). History of Winchester Firearms. The Lyons Press. ISBN978-1-58574-307-0.
• Carmichel, Jim (1986). Guns and Shooting, 1986. Times Mirror Magazines, Incorporated, Book Division. pp. 78–79. ISBN978-0-943822-58-7.
• Lewis, Jack; Robert K. Campbell; David Steele (2007). The Gun Digest Book of Assault Weapons (7th ed.). Krause Publications. p. 162. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
• Miller, David (2006). The History of Browning Firearms. First Lyons Press Edition. pp. 98–99. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
• Miller, David (2005). The Illustrated Directory of Guns. Collin Gower Enterprises Ltd. p. 694. ISBN0-681-06685-7.
• Davis, Phil (7 August 2006). 'Sangamon County Rifle Association Winchester Model 1897'. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
• Farrow, Edward S. (1904). American Small Arms. New York: The Bradford Company. pp. 335–337. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
• Henshaw, Thomas. The History of Winchester Firearms (6th ed.). Winchester Press, 1993. pp. 48–50.
• Parks, W. Hays (1997). 'October 1997 The Army Lawyer'. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
• Smith, Morris F. (14 December 1911). 'United States Patent Office'. PIBEABM Patent Search. pp. 4–5. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
• Thompson, Leroy (2013). US Combat Shotguns. Weapon 29. Osprey Publishing. ISBN9781780960142.
• Williamson, Harold F. (1952). Winchester (1st ed.). Washington DC: Combat Forces. pp. 158–159.
• Wilson, R. L. (2008). Winchester: An American Legend. New York: Book Sales, Inc. pp. 214–220. ISBN978-0-7858-1893-9.

External links[edit]

A Winchester model 1897 shotgun which was made in 1912 willbring between 150-500 dollars,depending on the amount of originalfinish remaining and a good bore.The value figures are based onyour shotgun having between 10%-80% of its original finish.

What year was your Winchester model 121707?

Your question has used the serial number of your Winchester,not the Model number.Please include a description of your Winchester along with the model number,and the serial number to get a answer about your Winchester. Read More

How old in your Winchester model with the serial number 3326874?

I would have to have the model number along with the serial number to correctly date your winchester. Read More

What is the age of Winchester Model 94 serial number 3444174?

Your Winchester model 1894 rifle was made by winchester in 1971,with the serial number you provided. Read More

Where to find serial number Winchester model 69a?

The Winchester model 69A is a pre-serial number firearm and as such does not have one. Read More

What is the value of a Winchester Model 74 22LR serial number 106782?

What year is a Winchester Model 74 Serial 354097A. Your serial number indicates that your Winchester model 74 was made in the year 1941,with the serial number 106,782.The serial number 354097A was made at the end of the year in 1953. Read More

What years was Winchester model 12 serial number 603418 made?

with the serial number that you provided,your winchester model 1912 shotgun was made by winchester in 1930. Read More

What year did Winchester make a model 74 with a serial number 242205a?

Your Winchester model 74 was made by Winchester in the year 1949,with the serial number that you provided. Read More

What year is your Winchester model 70 serial number g1115489?

With the serial number that you supplied,your Winchester model 70 rifle was produced by Winchester in the year 1973. Read More

When was Winchester model 94 serial number 1212049 made?

With the serial number that you supplied,your Winchester model 1894 rifle was produced by Winchester in the year 1940. Read More

What is the age of a Winchester model 70 serial number G1683068?

With the serial number that you supplied,your Winchester model 70 rifle was produced by Winchester in the year 1984. Read More

When was model 94 serial number 2055882 made?

With the serial number that you provided,your winchester model 1894 was made by winchester in 1954. Read More

Winchester 1897 Serial Numbers

What is the age of a Winchester Model 12 serial number 115995?

With the serial number that you have supplied,your Winchester model 12 shotgun was made in the year 1916. Your serial number indicates that it was made by Winchester in 1916. Read More

What year was a Winchester model 42 410 serial number 112223 made?

Your winchester model 42 shotgun was made by winchester in 1954 with the serial number that you provided. Read More

What year was Winchester model 92 serial number 929714 produced?

With the serial number that you supplied,your Winchester model 1892 rifle was produced by Winchester in the year 1924. Read More

When was Winchester model 12 Serial?

Imposable to answer without you providing a serial number to your Winchester model 12 shotgun. Read More

When was Winchester model 9422 serial number F520002 made?

With the serial number that you have supplied,your Winchester model 9422 was made in the year 1982. Read More

What is the age of a Winchester model 61 serial number 50110?

With the serial number that you supplied,your Winchester model 61 was made in the year 1941. Read More

How old is a model 1894 serial number 194836?

Your winchester model 1894 rifle was made by winchester in 1900 with the serial number that your provided. Read More

How old is a Winchester model 62 serial number 15308?

With the serial number that you have provided,your Winchester model 62 was made in the year 1935. Read More

What year was winchester model 63 serial number 37972?

With the serial number that you have provided,your Winchester model 63 was made in the year 1940. Read More

What is the year of manufacture of a model 94 Winchester serial number 1046459?

what is the answer to my question , what is the year of a model 94 Winchester serial number 1046459 Read More

What year was Winchester model 9422m with serial number f273869?

Your serial number indicates that your Winchester model 9422m was made in the year 1976. Read More

How old is Winchester model 101 serial number K122895?

Your serial number indicates that your Winchester model 101 was made in June,1969. Read More

How old is Winchester model 62 A serial number 264617?

With the serial number that you have supplied;your Winchester model 62A was made in the year 1950. Read More

What is the age of a Winchester model 42 serial number 36654?

With the serial number that you have provided,your Winchester model 42 was made in the year 1939. Read More

What is the age of a Winchester model 9422m serial number f265395?

Your serial number indicates that your Winchester model 9422M was made in the year 1976. Read More

What is the age of Winchester model 61 serial number 190285?

Winchester 1897 Serial Number List

With the serial number that you have provided,your Winchester model 61 was made in the year 1953. Read More

What is the age of Winchester model 70 serial number G1158705?

With the serial number provided,your Winchester model 70 was made in the year 1974. Read More

What year was a Winchester model 74 serial number 80633?

Your Winchester model 74 was made in the year 1941 with the serial number that you provided. Read More

What is the age of a Winchester model 70 with serial number g1235247?

Your Winchester model 70 was made in the year 1976 with the serial number provided. Read More

What year is a Winchester model 74 serial number 58963?

With the serial number that you have supplied,your Winchester model 74 was made in the year 1940. Read More

When was Winchester model 94 with serial number 3821816 made?

With the serial number that you provided,your Winchester model 1894 rifle was made in 1973. Read More

How old is a Winchester model 70 serial number G1679452?

With the serial number that you have supplied,your Winchester model 70 was made in the year 1983. Read More

What year is Winchester model 70 serial number G1248572?

With the serial number provide,your Winchester model 70 was made in the year 1976. Read More

What year was Winchester model 50 serial number 48887 made?

With the serial number that you provided,your Winchester model 50 was produced in 1955. Read More

What year is a Winchester model 9422 serial number F682855?

Your serial number indicates that your Winchester model 9422 was made in the year 1995. Read More

How old is a Winchester model 62A serial number 259227?

With the serial number that you have provided,your Winchester model 62A was made in the year 1949. Read More

What year is a model 62A Winchester with serial number 295965?

With the serial number that you provided,your Winchester model 62A was made in the year 1953. Read More

How old is Winchester model 62a serial number 165319?

With the serial number that you have provided,your Winchester model 62A was made in the year 1946. Read More

When was Winchester model 62a serial number 362274 manufactured?

With the serial number provided,your Winchester model 62a was made in the year 1957. Read More

How old is Winchester model 62a serial number 326833?

With the serial number that you provided,your Winchester model 62a was made in the year 1954. Read More

What year was Winchester model 63 serial number 36681?

With the serial number that you have supplied,your Winchester model 63 was made in the year 1940. Read More

What is the age of a model 92 Winchester with serial number 982167?

With the serial number that you have provided,your Winchester model 1892 was made in the year 1927. Read More

What year is a Winchester model 9422 serial number F477495?

With the serial number that you have supplied,your Winchester model 9422 was made in the year 1981. Read More

Winchester 1897 Serial Number Lookup

What year was a Winchester model 24 serial number 61890?

With the serial number that you have supplied,your Winchester model 24 was made in the year 1948. Read More

When Winchester model 61 serial 189733?

If you are asking when it was produced?Then your Winchester model 61 was made by Winchester in 1953,with the serial number that you provided. Read More

How old is my Winchester model 94 with serial no 650002?

With the serial number that you provided,your winchester model 1894 rifle was made by winchester in 1913. Read More

What is the age of Winchester model 12 serial 465502?

With the serial number that you provided,your winchester model 12 shotgun was made by winchester in 1927. Read More

What year is a Winchester model 70 with serial G948516?

With the serial number that you provided,your winchester model 70 rifle was made by winchester in 1970. Read More

Winchester 1897 Serial Number Search

Can you identify the model number of a Winchester rifle serial number 205048?

Not without searching through every serial number of every winchester model made. Read More