Winchester Model 1897

The Winchester Model 1897, also known as the Model 97, M97, Riot Gun, or Trench Gun, is a pump-action shotgun with 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 in (71 cm), while 12-gauge guns were furnished with 30 in (76 cm) barrels. Special length barrels could be ordered in lengths as short as 20 in (51 cm) or as long as 36 in (91 cm). Since the time the Model 1897 was first manufactured, it has been used to great effect by American military personnel,^[3] law enforcement officers,^[4][5] and hunters.^[5]

Winchester Model 1897
Type	Pump-action combat shotgun
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1897–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Philippine–American War Banana Wars Mexican–American Border War World War I Irish War of Independence World War II Korean War Vietnam War
Production history
Designer	John Browning, Matthew Browning[a]
Manufacturer	Winchester Repeating Arms Company Norinco Cimarron Firearms[2]
Produced	1897–1957
No. built	1,024,700
Specifications
Mass	8 lb (3.6 kg)
Length	39.25 in (997 mm)
Barrel length	20 in (510 mm)
Caliber	12 gauge, 16 gauge
Action	Pump-action
Feed system	5 rounds tubular magazine +1 in battery(Total 6 rounds)

History

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.^[6] The 12 gauge takedown model was added in October 1898, and the 16 gauge takedown model in February 1900.^[7] Originally produced as a tougher, stronger and more improved version of the Winchester Model 1893, itself an improvement on the early Spencer 1882 pump-action shotgun, 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 and magazine tube could easily be separated from the receiver for cleaning or transportation, the ease of removal of the barrel becoming 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".^[5] 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, the Ithaca Model 1937, and the Remington 870. The Model 1897 was superseded by the Winchester Model 1912.^[8] However, the gun can still be found today in regular use.

Improvements from the 1893

While designing the new Model 1897, many of the weaknesses present in the earlier Model 1893 were taken into account and remedied.^[7] These improvements included:

• The frame was strengthened and made longer to handle the newer smokeless powder 12 gauge 2+3⁄4 inch shell, as well as the older and shorter black powder 2+5⁄8 inch shell.^[7]
• The top of the frame was covered so that the ejection of the fired shell was entirely from the side.^[7] This added a lot of strength to the frame of the gun and it allowed the use of a 2+3⁄4 inch shell without the danger of the gun constantly jamming.^[9]
• 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 the 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.^[7]
• 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.^[7]
• The stock was made longer and with less drop.^[7]

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".^[10] This prevents the action sleeve "from being retracted by the hand of the gunner until after firing, and hence rendering the firearm more safe".^[11]

Description

Open action on an 1897 portraying the long slide that projects from the receiver.

The Winchester Model 1897 and the Winchester Model 1893 were both designed by John Browning. The Model 1897 is an external hammer shotgun that is 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.^{[12][failed verification]} 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 in (71 cm), while 12-gauge guns were furnished with 30 in (76 cm) length barrels. Special length barrels could be ordered in lengths as short as 20 in (51 cm), and as long as 36 in (91 cm). 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.^[12] The shells should be of the 2+5⁄8 inch or 2+3⁄4 inch models.^[7] Any shells larger are not recommended. An average Model 1897 can hold 5 or 6 shotgun shells in the magazine tube.^[13] 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.^[3]

Grades of the Model 97

Model 1897 (trench grade) and the reproduced Norinco (riot grade)

Grades of the Model 1897^[14]

Grade	Gauge	Barrel (inches)	Production dates	Remarks
Standard	12,16	30 in (76 cm), 28 in (71 cm)	1897–1957[15]	Plain walnut stock with steel buttplate
Trap	12,16	30 in (76 cm), 28 in (71 cm)	1897–1931[15]	Fancy walnut with checkering
Pigeon	12,16	28 in (71 cm)	1897–1939[15]	Same as Trap, but hand-engraved receiver
Tournament	12	30 in (76 cm)	1910–1931[16]	Select walnut; receiver top matte to reduce glare
Brush	12,16	26 in (66 cm)	1897–1931[15]	Shorter magazine, plain walnut without checkering, solid frame
Brush Takedown	12,16	26 in (66 cm)	1897–1931[15]	Same as above, but with takedown frame
Riot	12	20 in (51 cm)	1898–1935[15]	Plain walnut, solid or with takedown frame
Trench	12	20 in (51 cm)	1917–1945[17]	Same as riot gun but with heat shield, bayonet lug, and sling swivels

Original prices

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.^[12] 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.^[8][18] 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.^[8][18] 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.^[8][18] They were also sold in German catalogues for prices comparable to luxury double-barreled shotguns.^[19]