Make: Winchester

Model: 1897 Black Diamond Pigeon Gun

Serial#: 98635

Year of Manufacture: 1900

Gauge: 12 Gauge

Choke: Full, Fixed

Action Type: Takedown Pump-Action Shotgun with a Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 28”

Sights / Optics: There is a brass bead at the muzzle. The top of the barrel and receiver have a strip of fine matting for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stocks are two-piece checkered deluxe walnut with straight grip, straight comb and orange rubber buttpad. The wrist has black diamonds inlaid on either side. The slide handle is notably lighter in color with deeper checkering and appears to be a replacement. The slide handle has no notable wear or damage with well defined checkering. The buttstock shows discoloration from age and handling with scattered light nicks and scratches. The wrist checkering shows wear, but is fairly well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad, 12 5/8" to the back of the wood. The pad shows heavy wear and cracking. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as partially not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with evenly scattered minor erosion. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: The shotgun retains about 60% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the finish wear is in the engraved portions of the receiver, on the magazine tube, and barrel extension. There is some scattered finish wear on the barrel, most notable at the left-rear and along the right forward of the magazine bracket. Some worn areas are going to a light patina and there is some minor surface oxidation. There are some scattered nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear with good detail in the engraving. Overall, the shotgun is in Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This shotgun can be slam-fired as designed. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: This shotgun comes with a Cody Firearms Records Office records search which indicates that this gun's serial number was applied May 3, 1900, received in warehouse May 11, 1900 and shipped May 14, 1900 on order number 59061. Winchester records indicate the gun was made as Takedown Pigeon Grade, 12 gauge with a 28" barrel.

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1897 was designed by the legendary gunsmith John Moses Browning. Browning improved upon his earlier Model 1893 with a stronger receiver that could sustain the pressure of smokeless powder shells. The gun is a “takedown design” meaning the barrel and magazine can be easily separated from the frame in order to make storage and transportation easier. Also, Browning designed the shotgun so that it can be “slam fired”, where the user keeps the trigger depressed and fires shells by cycling the forend. The gun has a large production run, from 1897-1957, and is still considered one of the most brilliant shotguns ever made.

This particular specimen is a Winchester Model 1897 Black Diamond Pigeon Gun made in 1900 with a 28" Full choke barrel chambered for 12 gauge shells. The gun has beautiful engraving with a live trap scene on the left and a hunting scene on the right as well as a distinctive pigeon behind the hammer and "PIGEON GUN" on the bolt. Its straight stock has inlaid black diamonds on each side of the wrist and the slide handle is a nice replacement. It looks like it was someone's favorite, having wear consistent with use in the field over the last century and change. For serious 1897 collectors, the Pigeon Gun is a must-have and this would be a great Winchester to add to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!