Make: Winchester

Model: 1897, Riot

Serial#: 168872

Year of Manufacture: 1902

Gauge: 12 Gauge

Choke: Cylinder Bore, Fixed

Action Type: Pump-Action Shotgun with a Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 20”

Sights/ Optics: There is a replacement brass bead mounted to the front of the barrel. The top-front of the receiver has a shallow sighting groove.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stocks are two-piece walnut with grooved slide handle secured with three screws toward the rear, round-bottom semi-pistol grip, straight comb and smooth steel buttplate. The slide handle has a repaired crack along the bottom from the front edge to the mounting screw, there are a couple of more minor repaired cracks at the front edge. There is discoloration around the mounting screws with a notable ding in front of the left screw. The stocks have some light nicks, scuffs and scratches, mostly finished-over. There are a few cracks around the front of the wrist, mostly repaired. The LOP is 13 7/8” from the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The plate has wear around the edges and scattered erosion under the finish. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition as refinished and repaired.

Type of Finish: Black Enamel

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with infrequent patches of light erosion, mostly in the top of the bore. There are tool marks where the new bead was dressed. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: The shotgun retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are some scattered light nicks and small scratches, the action shows operational wear. There are scattered marks and light surface erosion under the finish. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, the shotgun is in Very Good condition as refinished.

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: None.

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 Riot variant of the Model 1897 that was made in 1902. The gun appears to have seen a long and useful life, given a new black enamel finish and having its slide handle repaired at some point, but retaining a surprisingly strong bore and great mechanics. Despite being refinished, it still has strong markings. This is a solid option for fans of the Model 97. Good luck on your bid!