Winchester M97 riot gun Value ( addl pics)

[444 Magnum]

see post below. I re-posted instead of editing.

 

[lrb1200]

Winchester 97,
12 gauge, non take down 20 inch cyl. bore.
Couldn't care less if it's original,

it's gorgeous, and doubt if it could be improved
on for a loaded house gun.

 

[444 Magnum]

I believe you have an extra digit in your serial number posted above. The 800K range would be correct for a commercial riot gun.
The commercial riot guns were made with takedown frames beginning in 1935 so that is correct.
The top of the frame has what looks to be a matte finish on top of the beginnings of a rib. Riot guns were smooth on top of the frame.
I was looking at the matte/rib on the frame earlier and wondering if the barrel had been swapped, but if the serial numbers match...? I had also wondered if this was a cut down barrel, but the barrel would have the rib also, unless it was originally vented and subsequently removed.
If the barrel and frame serial numbers match, it could be that Winchester used a leftover frame to build this shotgun. Since this was not a military version, it did not have to meet military specs. I'm personally skeptical about this, but it being a wartime gun and not for the military, I guess anything is possible. We've all seen parts clean-up and transition guns from Winchester, Marlin, S&W, etc.
That's the problem with a refinished gun, its hard to tell what was done prior to the re-blue.
As far as value? I would need more pics showing detail of the wood and the re-blue. How heavy was it buffed, barrel address and markings, etc.

 

[Narragansett]

Some wood pics. One not so good, sorry

From the pics, I see Marks that would have been sanded out during refinishing, I might imagine

 

[s&wchad]

Sticking a tape down the bbl to the bolt, the bbl measures 20.5".

I am not sure what you mean by a solid rib. There is no rib on the barrel. Smooth and round.

I guess the lighting and my eyes were playing tricks on me. I looked at the photos closely and was sure it had a solid rib.

Never mind….

I'll have to check my book on barrel lengths.

 

[Pig Hunter]

On the left side of the barrel just ahead of the frame will have markings to indicate what the choke is. If it says CYL then it is probably the original length. The ability to tighten the barrel assembly to the frame is from a threaded bushing that can be adjusted. Once all the adjustment is used up you can have another bushing installed.

 

[bushmaster1313]

I fell into this 1930's solid frame Win 97 factory riot about 10 years ago after I was convinced I would never find one in my price comfort zone. The story is that I brought two guns I did not like to my local FFL, and knowing I liked Winchesters he brought out from the back a first year fine condition Winchester 88 in .308 Win. I had to kick in $200, but it seemed a good deal. Fitted it with a Leupold 2-7, but the gun kicked so hard I brought it right away to a small gun show the next week hoping to salvage some of what I had in the gun and the scope. A dealer with a table at the show offered me the below Winchester 97 solid frame factory 12 gauge riot in an even trade and it has ever since been one of my keepers:

With a modern Mossberg 500:

 

[Ματθιας]

Refinished or not, keep in mind that Chinese copy '97s are pushing $1000 - especially with cowboy action shooters.

 

[Narragansett]

I believe you have an extra digit in your serial number posted above. The 800K range would be correct for a commercial riot gun.
The commercial riot guns were made with takedown frames beginning in 1935 so that is correct.
The top of the frame has what looks to be a matte finish on top of the beginnings of a rib. Riot guns were smooth on top of the frame.
I was looking at the matte/rib on the frame earlier and wondering if the barrel had been swapped, but if the serial numbers match...? I had also wondered if this was a cut down barrel, but the barrel would have the rib also, unless it was originally vented and subsequently removed.
If the barrel and frame serial numbers match, it could be that Winchester used a leftover frame to build this shotgun. Since this was not a military version, it did not have to meet military specs. I'm personally skeptical about this, but it being a wartime gun and not for the military, I guess anything is possible. We've all seen parts clean-up and transition guns from Winchester, Marlin, S&W, etc.
That's the problem with a refinished gun, its hard to tell what was done prior to the re-blue.
As far as value? I would need more pics showing detail of the wood and the re-blue. How heavy was it buffed, barrel address and markings, etc.

I did have an extra digit serial is 881316 on BBL and receiver. I tried to take a picture, but did not get the 88 part of the serial #. The barrel markings are great and really show no buffing