Something different - Winchester 97 with Vent Rib

[Researcher]

The Winchester catalogs showed pretty straight dimensions. From 1933 --

Model 97 1933 catalog, drop at heel highlighted.jpg

From the big 1955 catalog --

Model 97 big 1955 catalogue, drop at heel highlighted.jpg

I would have expected a very late gun to have the flat-bottom semi-beavertail slide handle. The one I briefly owned did.

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[Mike of the Mountain]

What is the difference between a Trap model and a Pigeon model? The only thing I can see in the ads is barrel length.

[Drew Hause]

About $50, which was a lot of money back then

[Mike of the Mountain]

Thanks Drew. Barrel length was really the only I saw and you confirmed that.

[Bill Murphy]

The Pigeon Gun was fully engraved by George ? Ulrich and 28" barrel as standard. Of course, for that money, you could probably have any barrel length. Oddly, every Pigeon Gun I have ever seen has the 28" barrel.

[Researcher]

This 1915 Folder shows the Trap Grade in 12-gauge "standard" with the 30-inch barrels but one could have 32-, 28- or 26-inch, and in 16-gauge with a 28-inch barrel.

1915 Trap Grade.jpg

The Pigeon Grade only lists 28-inch barrels in both gauges.

1915 Pigeon Grade.jpg

In the paper Winchester called them Trap Grade and Pigeon Grade on the firearms themselves they marked them on the bolt TRAP GUN and PIGEON GUN.

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[Drew Hause]

Mrs. Topperwein