The Winchester Model 1897 Pump Action Shotgun,Whereas the Spencer Pump Gun and the Winchester Model
The Winchester Model 1897 Pump Action Shotgun,Whereas the Spencer Pump Gun and the Winchester Model 1893 were the first pump action shotguns to be produced, the Winchester Model 1897 would become the most popular pump shotgun from the turn of the century up to the 1920’s. A John Browning design, it was an improvement of the older Model 1893 design.Perhaps the most notable feature of the Model 1897 was the exposed hammer behind the receiver. Working the pump forced the breech block straight back which physically cocked the hammer. At the same time an empty shell was ejected out to the right side of the gun while a new shell was loaded into the chamber from it’s five round tube magazine. I myself have fired one quite a bit, an heirloom that my dad inherited from a great uncle. From experience I can tell you that it is a very rough shooting, physical gun. It takes some ummph to work the action as the action is not nearly as smooth as more modern pump shotguns. When fired it gives a nice little kick. I have to say that the Model 1897 is the most comfortable shotgun I have ever handled, it doesn’t feel heavy or bulky in the slightest and seems to point very naturally.The first production models of 1897’s were manufactured with a fixed barrel. However models produced on or after 1898 feature a takedown system where the barrel can be easily removed or replaced. They came in 12 gauge and 20 gauge. A sporting model was made for hunters and shooters with a 30 or 28 inch barrel. A riot version was also produced with a much shorter 20 inch barrel which became popular with law enforcement and guards, especially during the Gangster Era of the 1920’s and 30’s. Finally a trench model was produced for the military, which I will do a full post on tomorrow.The Winchester Model 1897 would become the most popular pump action shotgun from around 1897 up to the 1930’s when it was superseded in popularity by a hammerless design called the Model 1912. Over 1 million were produced. -- source link
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