Need help on 1897 Winchester 30” 12ga shotgun

[IrishAlan]

I’m hoping I can get some help. My father in law told me “if anyone would know, these guys would”. So here I am. I recently purchased an 1897 Winchester. All is good except I paid very little, and it looks too perfect to be the real deal. The serial number puts it as 1906 with a D prefix. “D324740” I’m familiar with newer firearms but the older, originals, not so. I’ll include some pictures for all to look at, but I’ve found if it’s too good to be true???Well, y’all understand. It’s got some scratches on the receiver where obviously someone tried to open the takedown feature with a screwdriver (can be easily repaired) but the rest is immaculate. Is it original? Has it been restored? Do they make replica’s with Winchester written and stamped? Has it just been put up for 100+ years? Any and all opinions and help will be very appreciated. Thanks Alan

[Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001]

IMO 

 

  she has been refinished , note the smearing on the stamping , wood has been replaced , stock has been cut down 

 

 would have to have it in hand , to tell much more I am pretty sure there have been parts replaced , action slide , for one 

 

  Chickasaw 

[Outlaw Gambler]

It is an original Winchester 97. No replicas were made in the take down model, they were all solid frames. Appears to have been refinished, mag tube more of a parkerized finish vs blue on rest of gun. Stock is not correct for this gun. The rest is correct, including the action slide. Serial numbers match. Nice looking 97.

[Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001]

I might be wrong , But I am not sure when WInchester went away from the 3 screw action slide , 

OG does lots more 97s , than I have , I was one told 2 dates , that being 1909 and 1911 , I have NO printed data that shows the date 

Chickasaw 

[Outlaw Gambler]

Chickasaw Bill, didn't mean to insinuate you were wrong, just stating that it was an original action slide. I am not sure when the actual switch was made from 3 screw to solid action slide.

[IrishAlan]

Thank you gentlemen, if I could find an original stock to you recommend changing it out? Or it makes little difference? 

[IrishAlan]

I went and purchased some items that were missing when I got it, magazine cap, spring and pin for the tube. (Nothing expensive or hard to get). But I saw a few stocks when I was looking, I’m sure it won’t add additional value to the gun but may make it look better.  

[Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001]

Sir 

it relly depends on what you want to do with it , I would shoot it as is , if the stock is good , Boyds does a repo some I have seen were pretty nice , most are straight grained , pretty well just a utility stock , I have not had to buy one in a couple of years , 

 

 OG , no issue on my part , looking at the total picture , was what I based my call on , you probley handle 25 to 100 for every one I have 

even looking on the Winchester collectors , there seems to be confusion as to dates , 

 I had a 1911 16ga , 1897 , that everyone thought to be correct , with a 3 screw forearm 

after over 100 years , who knows what has been done , doubt anyone knows , could be old repairs, parts clean up at the factory , any number of things could have happened 

 

  Chickasaw