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The Model 1897 was a superior slide-action exposed hammer shotgun that was specifically designed for the new smokeless powder. Winchester manufactured just shy of one million Model 1897 shotguns, with the production taking place from July 1897 to September 1957. The Model 1897 was an improved redesign of the older Model 1893. Serial numbers were a continuation of the Model 1893 and began in the 34150 range, and continued through 1024701.

• Winchester 1897 Serial Number Chart
• Winchester Model 94 Serial Number Lookup
• Winchester Values By Serial Number
• Winchester 1897 Serial Number
• Winchester Rifles By Serial Number
• Winchester 1897 Serial Number Dates

The Model 1897 was originally offered in solid frame 12 gauge only with a 2 ¾ chamber until April of 1898 when the Take Down was introduced. The new 16 gauge with a 2 9/16” chamber was introduced in 1899, Take Down only.

Last week I mentioned in a text exchange with my son that lives in the frozen north that I wondered if the 1897 was still there. He texted me from the gunshop Saturday that it was still there. Long story short, he bought it for me. The serial # in the 200,000 and 'C' series would, I think put its manufactur date of 1902. Winchester Model 1897: Covering numbers: 31608 - 1024700. Please enter a serial number and click the submit button. Winchester Firearms Manufacturing Dates by Serial Number and Year 1866 through the early 1990s Below is the download link for a special resource for dating. Winchester 1897 with barrel over 20' in length. My gun is a pump action 1897 shotgun with a barrel THAT IS 26' long. The barrel will be round, 26' with the. Model 1893 and 1897 serial numbers overlap in 1897-1899. Model 1897 serial numbers begin at serial number 31609, approximately where the 1893 model serials ended. See the note with the model 1893. Total production of the model 1897 reached 1,024,700, when the parts clean-up began, resulting in 2,000 more guns assembled.

The Model 1897 was offered in a variety of grades: standard Field; Fancy; Standard Trap; Special Trap; Pigeon; Tournament; Brush; Riot and Trench Gun. The 20” barrel Riot and Trench Guns were especially desirable for Military and Law enforcement use. The Law enforcement Riot and Trench Guns may have police or prison unit markings. The WW II military Riot and Trench guns will have “U.S” and flaming ordnance bomb markings. Trench guns differed from Riot guns in that they have a ventilated heat shield and a bayonet stud attachment. All Trench Guns and the military Riot Guns were equipped with sling swivels. The WW I Trench and Riot Guns were made in solid frame only, then for WW II, they were all Take Downs.

The Winchester Model 1897 became the most popular exposed-hammer, slide-action shotgun in history. Special features include fancy checkered walnut stocks, Damascus barrels, and engraving. According to a 1916 catalogue, the plain-finish example sold for $25, while an engraved receiver with checkered and finer wood sold for $100.

Original Winchester factory records are available for this model from the Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, Wyoming, from serial number 1 thru 377999. Polishing Room serialization records are available for all serial numbers.

Winchester 1897 Serial Number Chart

Winchester Model 94 Serial Number Lookup

Below is the download link for a special resource for dating Winchester firearms. These pages were scanned from documents compiled over the years by the customer service department of Winchester Repeating Arms. None of the page scans are of original documents but are simply transcribed information typed into a word processing program. In general, this information is the same that you would get if you called our customer service department and asked them for the information. They use these documents as a reference and the documents should be limited to that use.

Click the image below to download the PDF document containing the serial number date-range information on many Winchester firearms. You will need the Adobe Reader program to open this file. Adobe Reader is available free from Adobe.

THE HISTORY OF WINCHESTER HISTORIC SERIAL NUMBER RECORDS.
There are many “legends” about why the historic serial number records for Winchester rifles and shotguns are not complete or why they are not always verifiable. A few reasons cited are:

Winchester Values By Serial Number

1. A fire at the factory
2. Inadvertent destruction (during office cleaning)
3. Records simply lost in filing
4. Records misplaced between ownership transitions
5. Documents borrowed but not returned

Winchester 1897 Serial Number

There is probably some kernel of truth to all of them. But the fact remains; there is no original, single, totally accurate database of serial numbers from 1866 forward that we are aware of. But perhaps these pages can help you somewhat in your research.

Please keep the following points in mind as you explore these pages:

• Many of the Winchester brand firearms produced over the years are included, but not all. If your firearm is not listed, we probably do not have any additional information.
• Before the 1990s the Winchester Repeating Arms firearms brand transferred ownership several times. Any information before the 1990s is always difficult to verify.
• In general, only serial number ranges with an approximate year are provided in this document. There is no other detail beyond this that we can provide.
• Since this information was provided through old documents (both official and otherwise), no representation is made that all serial number and year combinations are totally accurate.
• In some exceptional cases, a more detailed, accurate determination can be made by calling the Winchester Repeating Arms Historian at the Morgan, Utah office. 800-333-3288. Ask for the Winchester Repeating Arms Historian.
• For any other questions: 800.333.3288 or 801.876.2711. For Parts and Service call: 800.322.4626
• For questions related to Ammunition don’t call us. Contact Winchester Ammunition directly.
• No attempt has been made to determine the value of any guns listed.
• The Cody Firearms Museum has more information on Winchesters produced before 1900.
• This late historian George Madis compiled extensive histories on Winchester firearms. www.georgemadis.com

There are other outside resources – including the Cody Firearm Museum -- which can be excellent for determining date of manufacture and value: Click here to go to our gun values resource links.

Winchester Rifles By Serial Number

Click below to download a PDF overview of Cody Museum serial number resources.

Winchester 1897 Serial Number Dates

(Please remember that this information is a compilation over time -- collected from secondhand information. No confidentail records were used. We reserve the right to make changes at any time and make no claims as to accuracy. No attempt has been made to determine the value of any Winchester products.)

© Winchester Repeating Arms, 2012, 2015, R. Stitt