Guns & Outdoors Forum

I was at the slobber shop yesterday and found a nice 16 gauge 1897 Winchester! Pictures as they say are worth so here you go. I’m not thrilled about the break/poly choke but it may stay. I love those old pump guns! Someone’s old pump gun has much better wood than mine does…..

NICE!

I've come to regard Poly Chokes in about the same way I've come to regard sporterized military rifles or "targetized" 1911's: They were a practical product of their time and nobody thought more about it then than they would if you or I tore into a 10/22 today. Sure, they aren't as "collectible" in a strictly Blue Book of Gun Values sense, but if you want to build a catalog of How People Went Hunting & Shooting In the 1950's, it's a legitimate field.

It’s honest! I like that very much! Looking forward to shooting it

Now that I get to look at the pics closely, is that really a polychoke? Doesn’t look adjustable and it’s different from the ones I’m used to. Though to say from the pics but it could just be a comp added by a SASS competitor trying to get an advantage in the game. Those guys have collectively butchered more beautiful old guns than any other group alive. I think, and it’s just a suggestion, that in time this beauty deserves of a trip to Briley for removal of that comp and a set of their world class thin wall chokes. That would actually upgrade its usability and value.

And just like Paul…. You really make it tough to like you

Oh, and it’s a takedown….. now I really hate you…

1897s are probably my favorite shotguns in the world, the first time I shot mine was on a trap field and I powdered 23 out of a string of 25. Amazing gun that feels alive in my hands.

Date of manufacture?

I like it especially so because its a 16.. ....got ammo ?
I have one poly choke gun and it's a Winchester pump too.
A model 12 trap.....yeah I bought it for the wood

Yup we would both be grabbing the same guns off the rack

As a matter of fact I don’t have one single shell!

Ok I lol

We do have our differences it would seem.

I had to buy a 16 because I had too much ammo.

Typical gun nut, I have the ammo, now I need a gun to shoot it in!

Nice score!

JunkCollector wrote: ↑Fri Jul 12, 2024 9:43 pm Ok I lol

We do have our differences it would seem.

I had to buy a 16 because I had too much ammo.

Oh I have definitely bought a gun because of a bunch of ammo/brass!
I just never thought I’d own a 15 gauge.

You still don't....lol
Good luck finding one though and the elusive 15 gauge ammo.

Oops 16 gauge!

Now the we are on the subject I just remembered I actually saw some 16ga ammo at the local BPS while I was thinking they would never have reasonably priced 28ga and .410 in stock and I was wrong on both counts. I will say since I had not had to shop for shotgun shells for a while I was pleasantly surprised. MidwayUSA even has 16ga all brass shells in stock for all 3 if that's your thing.

Shotgun ammo is not as hard to come by as it was a few years ago, even the "exotics". I now have a good supply of 28ga and .410 in both target and hunting loads.

And the crazy part is before I moved, I gave away a bunch of 28ga ammo to a friend for his lady friend to go shooting with thinking I'm never going to own a 28 ga gun... And what do I get for Christmas?!?!?!? :LMAO:

After a bit of interwebs digging I found out the comp is actually a Weaver choke system. I’m missing the choke but the threads are in great shape. Well as luck would have it I found an improved modified choke tube for it on eBay new old stock! The shotgun dated to 1953 and the Weaver choke system was introduced in 1950. It’s possible and likely the at the gun and choke were done at the same time. No different than most his putting a break on the new rifle now….. kinda cool.

That is pretty cool

Nice one....

Thanks!!

Thank God for old school gunsmiths/gun nerds! I found the choke tube for the Weaver choke system and I bought an Improved Modified. I sent this picture to the guy I bought the choke from, he wanted to make sure what the choke was going on. He odiously cares about his stuff! He called me and said “hey you’re missing an adjuster ring lock and screw.” Well the screw is there acting like the lock but the lock is gone… 10 min on gunparts I have all proper bits ordered and a couple new crews that are buggered.

Damn, I can’t believe I missed that!!!! Glad you got the parts.

Very nice. The Polychoke makes it a better shooter. I've never seen a 1897 in 16 ga. A wonderful gauge.

Gene L wrote: ↑Mon Jul 15, 2024 9:45 pm Very nice. The Polychoke makes it a better shooter. I've never seen a 1897 in 16 ga. A wonderful gauge.

This one is a first for me too. First 16 gauge and first 97 ever seen in a 16! It’s not a polychoke but a Weaver choke. The tube screws into the end of the break.