Here is my hammer gun. [why is the print so small?]
I cannot recall when this 97 was made, but I think it is a lateish gun. It has the button on the right side of the receiver which I think was an improvement on the original design.
I cannot hit anything with this gun, so it doesn't fit me well, but it has such a nice plum color and it does work well that I'll keep it. I'd like to restock it, but it's either that or my new Rolls Royce.
These old Winchesters have a lot of parts that must have been hand fitted and it clicks and clacks when you work the action and the bottom falls out! Some of these were damascus I think. In their day they were extremely popular and beat out the Marlin and Spencer. Those Marlins are nice looking guns tho. I have only seen one or two Spencers.