Not a Double!

[ch]

Hey it's got a hammer so it's cool!!!

[Steve McCarty]

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.

[Craig Parker]

2nd down w/ chome receiver which is how I found it, been thinking about adding some engraving too it, 2 16's and 2-12's and a M12 thrown in. CJP

[Steve McCarty]

Originally Posted by Craig Parker

2nd down w/ chome receiver which is how I found it, been thinking about adding some engraving too it, 2 16's and 2-12's and a M12 thrown in. CJP

Nice old Winchesters! How well do you shoot the 97's? I haven't shot mine for a decade or so since the last time I shot it I didn't do well with it. I'll have to try it again. It is a long barreled scamp and the stock is tight.

Are the 16's on a smaller frame than the 12? I am a big fan of the 16 and while shells can be difficult to find, the old girl refuses to die. My model 12 16 may have short chambers. I read that some did/do. I've also read that the ejection port has to be open to allow the longer shell to pass through. Is that true?

Actually I don't mind shooting the short shell, I think RWS loads them.

[Steve McCarty]

Craig: that Model 12 is a beauty! Looks like new. I just bought a 1962 Model 12 with a 28" modified tube. The gun is absolutely new. Paid $465 and think I did well. I just got the gun, haven't shot it yet.

I now own several different kinds of pump shotguns, two Ithaca model 37s, a Rem 870, a slew of Model 12's, a 1300 and that old 97. So which is best? Truthfully, I think the Model 37 in 16 is the king of the hill. Mine is an old gun so I can't change out the barrel, but it is a modified so who cares? I do not want to thread it for choke tubes. I did that to the 37 12 gauge and it works fine. A model 37 is a darn nice pump shotgun, light and fast and they deposit the empties at your feet.

Ithaca is back in biz making the 37. Spendy tho. They have stopped making the 16, which is a shame.

[Blind Dog]

Mine was made in 1919; no take down. Winchester's site will let you know when your gun was made by its SN.

[Steve McCarty]

Originally Posted by Fred Preston

Mine was made in 1919; no take down. Winchester's site will let you know when your gun was made by its SN.

Nice shotgun. Did it come with that wonderful stock?

I have looked up the date of my 97, but have forgotten it. Win stopped making them around 1952 if memory serves.

In the 70's and 80's I hunted ducks with a fellow who shot nothing but his 97. Then steel and he stopped hunting, then he died. He could really handle his old 97.

The only thing about the gun that bothers me is the possibility of skinning the top of one's thumb when the action opens up. Some guys put their shooting thumb along the side like some do when shooting a Garand.

[Craig Parker]

Thanks Steve, The M12 is 1925 30" Full w Simmons vent rib which shoots well. The 16's I have never shot, sad I know but will get too it. Frame size runs same as 12's to me w/ one being 28" F and other 26" F. The 12's I shoot as well as others about avg, reminds me I need to shoot more. I also have a buddy that shoots his 97 as a never miss gun being 10yds or 60yds, As Calvin said they have cool hammers and would like to pick up a Marlin also. Nice gun Mark

[Steve McCarty]

Originally Posted by Craig Parker

Thanks Steve, The M12 is 1925 30" Full w Simmons vent rib which shoots well. The 16's I have never shot, sad I know but will get too it. Frame size runs same as 12's to me w/ one being 28" F and other 26" F. The 12's I shoot as well as others about avg, reminds me I need to shoot more. I also have a buddy that shoots his 97 as a never miss gun being 10yds or 60yds, As Calvin said they have cool hammers and would like to pick up a Marlin also. Nice gun Mark

I like the Nickle Steel Model 12's but for no meaningful reason. I just like them. All of my model 12's but two (a 20 and a 12) are well worn. I kind of like that. I have a 16 too, but it is hiding in my safe somewhere and I have never shot it either. When it comes to shooting 16's the task goes to my Ithaca model 37, a modified gun that is like new, but is quite old.

Pumps have been falling from favor since the advent of such good autos and then this resurgence of double guns. We never saw doubles in the field in the 50's and 60's. We were Kansas farm boys and we shot old wobbly Model 12's and a few Remington 11's. The only double I saw as a kid was a worn silver Merkle that one of the guys brought back from WWII. That guy is 90 now and is still shooting that old German shotgun.

[Steve McCarty]

Originally Posted by Craig Parker

Thanks Steve, The M12 is 1925 30" Full w Simmons vent rib which shoots well. The 16's I have never shot, sad I know but will get too it. Frame size runs same as 12's to me w/ one being 28" F and other 26" F. The 12's I shoot as well as others about avg, reminds me I need to shoot more. I also have a buddy that shoots his 97 as a never miss gun being 10yds or 60yds, As Calvin said they have cool hammers and would like to pick up a Marlin also. Nice gun Mark

Yep, your model 12 looks like a real beauty!