Winchester 1897 Disassembly

[av8tr]

I have recently purchased my first 97 trench gun. It is of WWII vintage, with a serial number in the 953000 range. We like to shoot the guns we collect (at least once) as we enjoy being a part of the history. I downloaded a copy of TM 9-285 and have been doing some reading. This manual describes the WWII trench guns as a modified solid frame gun. This is confusing me a bit, possibly because I am new to the 1897. Also, the TM provides info for the solid frame and take down versions, but seems to gloss over this "modified solid frame" version. Is it correct that the barrel can be removed from this gun, but just not as a unit with the magazine tube? If I read correctly, the bayonet lug/handguard must be removed, then the magazine tube separately from the barrel.

 

I am interested in disassembly only for proper cleaning after shooting the weapon. I want to protect it, as it is a nice one.

 

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

 

[jim c 351]

av8tr,

The WWI 97 trench that I once owned lacked the takedown ability whether or not the handguard was attached.

As far as I know all WW2 Win97 were takedown capable guns, but once the handguard was attached they lost the quick takedown feature. Thats why the handguard must be removed before the barrel/ mag tube can be removed.

When you look at the end of a WWI receiver , you will note that the barrel screws directly into the receiver.

When you look at the end of a WWII receiver, you will note the barrel screws into an adapter plate immediately in front of the receiver. This adapter plate indicates a takedown gun.

Are you totally confused?

Jim C

[av8tr]

Jim,

 

Thanks. That seems to be what I was reading. Our '97 is a takedown version, and I can see how the bayonet lug /handguard assembly would have to be removed before the mag tube could be removed.

 

I found another website, dedicated to cowboy shooting, that discourages any disassembly past mag tube and barrel removal for normal cleaning. It says, JMB's design is rather complicated as compared to today's slide action shotguns.

 

Thanks again for the reply.

[jim c 351]

av8tr,

I used a Win M12 trap gun since 1968 an a 20 ga skeet gun since 1973 and I almost never remove the barrel assembly from the receiver. I clean from the muzzle end.

While these guns did have a wear adjustment feature ( only on the takedown guns), once all the adjustment is used up then a new part is needed. These parts are getting hard to find.

Jim C

 

 

[emmagee1917]

Yep , I'd have to agree. We have several 1897s in our group , and I have two myself. We have an ex-gunsmith and he will strip each "new" '97 down and hand fit everything back together and detail clean it. Afterwards we just clean the bbls from the muzzle and wipe the bolt faces and inside the reciver through the ejection port. Dry her off and oil , she's good to go. You would not believe the number of little parts in there , and they are all getting rarer.

Chris