[Grinder060]

I just purchased this gun but I'm not exactly sure what shell it takes. The gun was make in 1927, and I've searched around but I keep seeing a mixture of things. There's no indication on the barrel either. If anyone could help It'd be appreciated!

Thanks.

EDIT: I meant model 97, the 27 was a typo

And it's a 12 gauge

[Davyboy]

was made for such a long time and many models would need pictures to idetify
it.

[UnderFire]

If in fact it's a Winchester Model 97 (or 1897 or M97) it's the shotgun that had various improvements over the Winchester model 93. The model 93 was the first successful pump action shotgun.

The M97 used by the U.S. military in WWI with impressive results was chambered in 12 ga. for 2 3/4" shells only. The M97 shotgun was extremely successfull, both with the military and with civilian hunters and law enforcement. The civilian model was chambered in 12 & 16 gauge with 28"-30" barrels. I too would like to see pics. You have a great piece of American history there.

[TxG]

The Winchester Model 97 is one of the great classic pump guns. In good, or better, condition they are highly sought after. I'm sure it's chambered for the common 2 3/4" 12 gauge shell, but I advise having the chamber checked, as well as the overall condition of the gun, by a professional gunsmith before firing it. Early 12 gauge guns were chambered for a 2 5/8" shell, but I believe the Model 97 was the 1st shotgun to go totally with the then-new 2 3/4" ammo. 3" and 3 1/2" shotshells came MUCH later.

[UnderFire]

Originally Posted by TxG

The Winchester Model 97 is one of the great classic pump guns. In good, or better, condition they are highly sought after. I'm sure it's chambered for the common 2 3/4" 12 gauge shell, but I advise having the chamber checked, as well as the overall condition of the gun, by a professional gunsmith before firing it. Early 12 gauge guns were chambered for a 2 5/8" shell, but I believe the Model 97 was the 1st shotgun to go totally with the then-new 2 3/4" ammo. 3" and 3 1/2" shotshells came MUCH later.

Yes I agree, have it checked by a competent gunsmith.
The gun was chambered in 12ga. for 2 3/4" shells. Back then the hulls were made of paper. Yes, back then common 12ga. was 2 5/8" and the other gauges were 2 1/2" and less.

[Gortok]

Glad to see that my search for a Winchester Model 97 turned up a thread that's not too old...

I, too, have a Model 97, built in 1927. My dad tells me he bought it from "some guy", and never fired it. While it shows a cracked hard rubber buttplate, some missing chunks of wood around a couple of edges and some scratching around some sharp edges on the left side, it looks remarkably good for a 83 year old gun.
The story goes that the model name was changed (from 1897, to Model 97 or M97) in the early 20's because the marketing gurus thought no one would buy such old technology from the "last century". Fact is, it's one of the first to shoot the new smokeless powder...what we use today. This makes it even more valuable.

[Gortok]

[Gortok]

What you guys figger this thing's worth??

[TxG]

This should give you an idea:

GunBroker.com - Search Results: winchester 1897