Winchester Model 1897

The Winchester Model 1897 is a pump-action shotgun designed by John Moses Browning and produced by Winchester Repeating Arms from 1897 through 1957. It was one of the first commercially successful pump-action shotguns and became one of the most iconic firearms of the twentieth century. The Model 97 evolved from the earlier Winchester Model 1893, with Browning strengthening the action to handle the newly developed smokeless powder loads that were rapidly replacing black powder cartridges at the turn of the century. Winchester manufactured over one million of these shotguns during its sixty-year production run.

The most distinctive feature of the Model 1897 is its exposed hammer, which is visible at the rear of the receiver and must be manually cocked or is cocked by the pump stroke. Unlike later pump shotguns that incorporated internal hammers and trigger disconnectors, the Model 97 can be “slam fired” – holding the trigger down and rapidly cycling the action will fire each round as the action closes. This characteristic made it devastatingly effective in close combat, and the Model 97 saw extensive military service in both World Wars. During the First World War, American troops used short-barreled “trench gun” variants to clear enemy positions, earning the shotgun a fearsome reputation in the trenches of the Western Front.

Chambered in 12 gauge (and also available in 16 gauge), the Model 97 was offered in numerous configurations over its long production life, including field guns, riot guns, and trench guns with bayonet lugs and heat shields. The solid frame, external hammer, and visible ejection port give the gun a mechanical honesty that appeals to shooters and collectors alike. The action is robust and has proven itself over more than a century of service. Whether found in a duck blind, a police armory, or a collector’s safe, the Winchester Model 1897 remains one of the most recognizable and historically significant shotguns ever manufactured.