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| < 16ga. Guns ~ mdl 97 Chamber length |
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 Posted:
Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:06 pm
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Joined: 26 May 2008
Posts: 147
Location: High Desert of SoCal
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| I have a model 97 I picked up maybe 13 years ago. It's a field grade gun, tight, brown patina and lots of exterior wear marks. The barrel is a tad rough. Not bad enough to catch plastic but bad enough it can be seen. Anyway, other that 16 GA it has no other chamber markings. The ser. # is 625XXX placing it in the 1916-1917 mfg group. I suspect it is a 29/16 or maybe a 21/2 chamber. I've only shot it with 2.5" roll crimped loads. I am wondering about that chamber size. Any one know when they changed to 2.75? |
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R J Talley
James Madison Fellow |
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| Posted:
Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:37 pm
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Joined: 30 Sep 2015
Posts: 640
Location: NEW SALISBURY INDIANA
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| early 1930`s |
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16ga 3-Win 37
16ga Ithaca 37 1946
16ga Western Auto Revelation
16ga Browning A-5 1929
16ga Marlin 90 1939
16ga browning citori lightning grade 3 2003
16ga Francisque Darne 1920 |
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| Posted:
Mon Feb 01, 2021 7:34 am
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Joined: 24 Jun 2013
Posts: 2066
Location: canandaigua - western n.y. (formerly deerhunter)
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| I would still go by the ; if it's marked 23/4 it is , if not marked , it isn't . 97's have thick tough barrels . If Win didn't recall M12's to re-chamber , I wouldn't worry about a 97 . |
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Molly sez AArrrooooooah ! |
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| Posted:
Mon Feb 01, 2021 4:05 pm
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Joined: 13 Jun 2009
Posts: 695
Location: WA/AK
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From its introduction the 16-gauge Winchester Model 1897/97 was made for the then "standard" 2 9/16 inch shell, through Winchester Catalog No. 82 circa 1920. By the 1922 & 1923 pocket catalogs The Model 97 was offered only in 12-gauge. Same for the large Winchester Catalog No. 83, dated 1925. FWIW that catalog does state that the Model 12 20-gauge was now being chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells. Remember that Winchester was struggling during the late 1920s eventually ending in receivership. As late as August 1931, there was a good chance that Remington Arms Co., Inc. would buy Winchester, but by the end of the year the Olins of Western Cartridge Co. closed the deal.
The 1931 Winchester catalog states the Model 97 will be available in 16-gauge beginning April 1, 1931, now made for 2 3/4 inch shells. |
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Share the knowledge |
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| Posted:
Mon Feb 01, 2021 4:41 pm
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Joined: 27 Jan 2016
Posts: 490
Location: Oswego, Kansas
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Thank you for that information Researcher! Living up to your name!  |
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Sweet sixteen forever
LC Smith Field Grade
LC Smith Ideal Grade
CZ Ringneck
Win. Model 12
Rem M11
Stevens 235 |
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