Winchester 1897

big_ed · March 27, 2013, 08:18 PM

I recently aquired a Winchester 1897, it appears to be a riot shotgun with a poly choke installed the barrel is marked 12 ga. 2 3/4 CYL. It shows very minor wear, retains much of the blueing, and none of the screw heads appear to have ever been touched. S/N 928*** (@1947), with an E prefix just above.

The questions I have are what is the approx. worth and would it benefit to have the poly choke removed and a bead reinstalled.

drcook · March 27, 2013, 09:05 PM

Pokychokes actually work. I just got an Ithaca 37 with one on it, it is going to be my wife's turkey gun as it has a shorter barrel which will be just fine for her.

One possibility if you remove the polychoke is that you will simply have a cylinder bore (no choke left).

I would try it before removing it. You might find you actually like it.

Scorch · March 27, 2013, 09:13 PM

The cowboy action shooters are pretty fond of 1897s. They have driven the prices up to where a fair specimen can go for $600-ish. Got one in the shop the other day like yours, cyl bore but no PolyChoke. It's a nice enough gun, if you can learn to hold the grip area tight when you pump the action (otherwise you will bleed). I would prefer a Model 12.

243winxb · March 28, 2013, 04:52 PM

Make sure you have 18" of barrel if you remove the poly choke. Check prices at Gunbroker.com auctions.

PetahW · March 28, 2013, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big ed

the barrel is marked 12 ga. 2 3/4 CYL.

The barrel has a factory choke designation stamped into it.

IMO the PolyChoke is an aftermarket addition on that particular Winchester because, AFAIK, guns/barrels with factory-installed compensators were usually Cutts, but even if a PolyChoke was used, no choke designation (CYL) would have been stamped into the bbl.

Soooooo, removing the PolyChoke & re-installing the proper bead front sight should restore it to the way it left the factory (provided the bbl hasn't been shortened, etc) - a cylinder-choked shotgun.

.

big_ed · March 28, 2013, 06:38 PM

I measured the barrel from the bolt face, it measures @ 22" to the end of the Poly-choke and slightly more than 20" to what looks like the end of the barrel.

How are poly chokes installed? Silver soldered?

PetahW · March 29, 2013, 08:12 PM

.

Polychokes are usually mounted by threading, or solder/braze, or both (in some cases).

I would expect a long-recoil gun installation to use both to secure a Polychoke, but not a pump like yours.

.

March 27, 2013, 08:18 PM	#1
big_ed Member Join Date: February 19, 2008 Posts: 34	Winchester 1897 I recently aquired a Winchester 1897, it appears to be a riot shotgun with a poly choke installed the barrel is marked 12 ga. 2 3/4 CYL. It shows very minor wear, retains much of the blueing, and none of the screw heads appear to have ever been touched. S/N 928*** (@1947), with an E prefix just above. The questions I have are what is the approx. worth and would it benefit to have the poly choke removed and a bead reinstalled.

March 27, 2013, 09:13 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	The cowboy action shooters are pretty fond of 1897s. They have driven the prices up to where a fair specimen can go for $600-ish. Got one in the shop the other day like yours, cyl bore but no PolyChoke. It's a nice enough gun, if you can learn to hold the grip area tight when you pump the action (otherwise you will bleed). I would prefer a Model 12. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

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March 27, 2013, 09:05 PM	#2
drcook Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2009 Posts: 285	Pokychokes actually work. I just got an Ithaca 37 with one on it, it is going to be my wife's turkey gun as it has a shorter barrel which will be just fine for her. One possibility if you remove the polychoke is that you will simply have a cylinder bore (no choke left). I would try it before removing it. You might find you actually like it.

March 28, 2013, 04:52 PM	#4
243winxb Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2011 Location: USA Posts: 1,730	Make sure you have 18" of barrel if you remove the poly choke. Check prices at Gunbroker.com auctions.

March 29, 2013, 08:12 PM	#7
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. Polychokes are usually mounted by threading, or solder/braze, or both (in some cases). I would expect a long-recoil gun installation to use both to secure a Polychoke, but not a pump like yours. .