[bhein]

I have a Winchester 97 16 gauge shotgun serial number D324612. It's a great looking shotgun and was owned by my great grandfather. I can take photos of it if someone is interested in it. The only thing that needs to be done is the stock has my Great grandfathers initials carved into it so I need to buy a new stock.

I would like to know how much it's valued for or how much somebody is willing to pay for it. I would like to find out how old it is, anyone know how to research such things?

Thank you

Brandonhein@gmail.com

[cheezburger]

Yes I would like to see a picture

[hiwall]

My book shows it was made in 1907

[W. C. Quantrill]

Why would you want to replace the stock with your great grandfathers initials? That seems to me to be throwing away your heritage....

[gearhead396]

I agree I did exactly the same thing with my grandfathers old over under and regret it every day hang it on you wall I wish I still had mine to do that with :/

[ninjatoth]

I would try to have it refinished or something while keeping the initials on it,find a way to enhance the initials and yet make the stock look new everywhere else on it.Perhaps having the initials lighter or darker than the rest of the stock and fillinh them in with like a clear resin to make the entire stock perfectly flush and smooth.

[Durangokid]

The old Mdl. 97s can go for a few hundred to more than a thousand. A 12 Ga shooter will go for around $400 to $500 hundred. Most buyers want the 12 Ga. version. My old 12 ga. is a good slug shooter.

[W. C. Quantrill]

Just clean it. Winchester had an oil finish,,,,dont use any of that shiny crap on it. It should only turn out as shiny as the amount of rubbing effort that you put into the oil.

Any refinishing that you do, other than cleaning it likely decreases its value, unless you send it to Turnbull, and then restoration costs begin at $3000 and up. Depending on the condition of the stock and if someone has varnished it or not, I would use a solvent like paint thinner and nothing more abrasive than 0000 ~~4 OUGHT~~ STEEL WOOL and gently go over the finish and remove old surface grime, use a toothbrush to get around the metal pieces then let it dry and re-oil it with linseed or tung oil depending on the condition of the stock. A new 97 in 1907 would not have had a shiny stock. My Great Grandfathers 97 has an oiled stock.

[cheezburger]

Like an old coin, once you buff it out it ruins the value. I dont like the look of real tree. I had a pocket knife that was coverd in real tree, droped it on my lawn, lost it, Jonn D. found it.
Point being retro is bad ass.