Something different - Winchester 97 with Vent Rib

[Cold Spring]

I've always liked Winchester Model 97's and here's an interesting one I came across recently ..... 12-gauge with a 30" barrel, choked I-Mod, made in 1956 at the tail end of production. Reworked by Simmons to include one of its vent ribs. Nice dimensions at 1-5/8 by 2-5/8 by 14-3/8" LOP over the WRA recoil pad. I'll be trying her out at Sporting and Trap once the clubs open up. A hammer pump gun; that should turn some heads!
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[Tennessee Dave]

I also like Model 1897's and have one from 1945 and one from 1950. Yours does appear nice and has some added features.

[edgarspencer]

I'd know that sound anywhere. Nothing sounds like a '97 when you rack it.

[matt koepnick]

That gun would fit me perfectly, and made same year as me.. Nice find Sir. Hope it's "the one" for ya.
Mattly

[Researcher]

I long wanted a Model 97 as two of my research interests, Ansley H. Fox and Harold B. Money (De Shootinest Gent'man), spent time shucking them for the Big W. Finally got a high condition, late, 1003775, 12-gauge 30-inch full. I shot it a few times and found it required much more precise pumping than one can get away with with a Model 12/42 or Remington Model 31. Pretty quickly traded it off on a Superposed.

[Drew Hause]

A not very good pic of Fox and his 97 at the 1901 GAH at Live Birds



Frank & Dave both have a pic of those who went 25 straight, including Fox

Hard not to include the great J.A.R. Elliott in the long list of turn-of-the-century M97 shooters

Sept. 1897 Sporting Life

[todd allen]

That's pretty cool, an M 97 with a vent rib. I've owned a few 97s, and currently own an all original one with a Damascus barrel.

[Cold Spring]

Thanks all. Just some additional info; I believe this M97 was restocked by Simmons when it added the Vent Rib. Otherwise with a factory stock the drop at heel would be way more than the 2-5/8" it does measure. Also the action works just as slick as my Model 12's I use for Sporting. Apparently Simmons did some polishing and other work inside when it jeweled the bolt etc.

[Drew Hause]

1902 DAH depended on LOP



The 97 Trap had a DAH of 2 1/8"; 1903



The 97 Tournament 1 13/16"; 1909

[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.

986692 05a.jpg