Got a new toy.

[M1orNone]

New to me, that is. 1897 Winchester, takedown model, made in 1934. 30" full-choke barrel. 100% original, down to the buttpad. I was thinking about refinishing it, but I rather like the patina.:) Gonna take it duck hunting at the end of the month.

Whaddaya think?

626
627
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[mixmaster]

A great looking gun. I would not try any restoration as its condition gives it charter and appears to have a few more hunting seasons to look forward to.
Mix

[Eli]

Wouldn't survive long with a 30" barrel if it were mine, it'd be 18" improved cylinder in no time! Looks great though!

Eli

[timshufflin]

30" barrel, GULP.

[Prince Humperdink]

Kit,
looks great!Don't refinish it,that will diminish it's value if original,and I wouldn't fire any steel shot through it.The softer steel doesn't hold up well(don't ask how I know).Congrats,and if You were only an hour closer perhaps we could Duck hunt together!

[buckshot85]

Kit,
looks great!Don't refinish it,that will diminish it's value if original,and I wouldn't fire any steel shot through it.The softer stell doesn't hold up well(don't ask how I know).Congrats,and if You were only an hour closer perhaps we could Duck hunt together!

i gotta second his opinion about firing heavy steel loads in the that shotgun. very nice old shotgun though.

[M1orNone]

Kit,
looks great!Don't refinish it,that will diminish it's value if original,and I wouldn't fire any steel shot through it.The softer steel doesn't hold up well(don't ask how I know).Congrats,and if You were only an hour closer perhaps we could Duck hunt together!


We'll be over at Warm Spring WMA, between Anaconda and Deer Lodge, opening weekend of the season. Might even be a few cans of barley pop being tossed around too. My other two friends are using a combination of 12ga 3 1/2's and 10ga 3 1/2's.

I'm rollin' out the 2 3/4's. ;)

629

[M1orNone]

i gotta second his opinion about firing heavy steel loads in the that shotgun. very nice old shotgun though.

I'll be using either Hevi-shot or Bismuth. I guess the wads used now in steel loads go a long way towards protecting the bore from scratches, but I'm sure not going to chance it.

[Prince Humperdink]

We'll be over at Warm Spring WMA, between Anaconda and Deer Lodge, opening weekend of the season. Might even be a few cans of barley pop being tossed around too. My other two friends are using a combination of 12ga 3 1/2's and 10ga 3 1/2's.

I'm rollin' out the 2 3/4's. ;)

629
That's about a 5 hour drive for Me.I wish my body could take traveling right now.I just"puddle jump"these Prairie ponds around me but last year was stellar action.Good luck Buddy!I use a Winchester 1200 black shadow 12 ga in 3" btw.