[whitewolf08]

Hello looking for some possible help on a winchester 1897 i purchased today i purchased it solely as a shooter due to the fact that it has mismatched serial #'s the reciever serial number traces to 1904 whereas the number on the takedown extension traces to 1905 yet the barrel has a last patent date of 1910 does this mean that the barrel is newer than the rest of the gun i would imagine that a barrel made in 1905 wouldn't possibly have a 1910 patent date so im guessing the barrel was probably replaced either way i could care less what the gun is worth just interested in whether or not i may have the most cobbled up 1897 in history. Thanks in advance for any help. one more thing the barrel has the W over P in an oval proof mark but ive been unable to find out if this means the barrel was factory installed originally or if it was ordered later by a gunsmith and installed