Winchester Model 1897 Takedown 12 Gauge – Early 1901, Mirror Bore

Winchester Repeating Arms – Model 1897 Takedown

Manufactured: 1901 – Gauge: 12 – Mirror bore, early production

Early-production Winchester Model 1897 Takedown manufactured in 1901, retaining a substantial proportion of its original bluing and featuring a 30-inch barrel with an excellent mirror bore.

History

The Winchester Model 1897 slide action  is one of the most iconic pump-action shotguns in American firearms history. Designed by John Moses Browning for the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, it succeeded the Model 1893, retaining its basic design while incorporating a stronger action adapted to the new smokeless powder cartridges. Introduced in 1897, the Model 1897 quickly became popular with hunters, game wardens, police officers and military personnel thanks to its rugged construction, five-round capacity and fast operation. The model became particularly famous during the First World War through the “Trench Gun” versions used by American troops in trench warfare. It was also widely adopted by police departments in its “Riot Gun” configurations.

Another distinctive feature of the Model 1897 is its “slam fire” capability, allowing successive shots to be fired while keeping the trigger depressed and cycling the action. This characteristic remains closely associated with the reputation of the Winchester Model 1897, one of the most important American pump-action shotgun designs.

Our Shotgun

Manufactured in 1901, this Winchester Model 1897 features the Takedown configuration, allowing the shotgun to be easily separated into two sections. The metal surfaces retain a substantial proportion of their original bluing, with an even appearance and signs of age consistent with its period. The Winchester markings are correct for the model, crisp and clearly legible. Serial number 131XXX corresponds to an early 1901 production. Both sections of the Takedown configuration bear the same serial number, confirming their matching configuration. The wooden furniture retains an attractive, even coloration. There are slight beginnings of cracks on both sides of the buttstock, with no current indication of an effect on the overall strength of the stock. The buttstock is fitted with a Bloomington recoil pad.

Mechanically, the shotgun is in good working condition, with smooth cycling, consistent feeding and proper ejection. The characteristic slam fire system is operational. The 30-inch 12-gauge barrel, fitted with a Full Choke, has an excellent mirror bore.

With its early 1901 production, Takedown configuration, 30-inch Full Choke barrel and excellent bore condition, this Winchester Model 1897 represents an interesting example for a collection devoted to American firearms of the early twentieth century.

The shotgun is accompanied by its official French National Proof House (Saint-Étienne) Category D(e) classification certificate.