Something different - Winchester 97 with Vent Rib

[Silvers]

I've always liked Winchester Model 97's and here's an interesting one I came across recently ..... 12-gauge with a 30" barrel, choked I-Mod, made in 1956. Reworked by Simmons to include one of its vent ribs. Nice dimensions at 1-5/8 by 2-5/8 by 14-3/8" LOP over the WRA recoil pad. I'll be trying her out at Sporting and Trap once the clubs open up. A hammer pump gun; that should turn some heads! frank
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[loggy]

Nice!

[Jeff S]

Wow! That’s in beautiful condition. Last time I saw one of those was at the Bachelder Memorial shoot and it was in rough condition (although the owner shot it quite well). I’m sure you’ll make some diesel smoke with it.

[Hilltop]

Very, very nice!

[Stan Hillis]

I love those guns, Frank. That's a looker!

Please report on how she performs for you.

SRH

[DarylC]

Nice one Frank. IM choke is about perfect for any kind of shooting.

[1steve7301]

Good job Frank, that is a beautiful 97

[Researcher]

Very nice. Keep your thumb in a safe place!!

[Fowlgunner]

In Tom Roster's "Search for a 100% pattern" series years ago the only gun to do so, or maybe I'm mis-remembering and it got to 99%, at 40 yrds in a 30" circle was an 1897 with an Ounce and a quarter of "Hard" dueces at 1220 fps buffered, I believe.

Grind them Frank!

Will

[Silvers]

Just some additional info on Winchester Model 97's.

Winchester author George Madis reported that in 1943 at the height of WW2, Winchester ran an advert on its Model '97 to include one named "Old Reliable" that was then testing shotshells for the Army Air Corps after firing 1,247,000 rounds over 29 years. On March 13, 1914, M.A. Robinson, Winchester Ballistic Engineer, took serial number 128195 at random out of the regular production line. This '97 was assigned exclusively to testing Winchester ammunition and had been fired heavily and with only one broken firing pin and spring over those 29 years. The advert goes on to say that 128195 was given the name "Old Reliable" by factory personnel and now tests the production ammunition used in training aerial machine gunners on how to lead fast moving Axis planes and shoot them out of the skies.

No doubt Old Reliable was cleaned and lubricated regularly but even so, what a record! 1,247,000 rounds. Try that with a modern repeater.

frank

[ROMAC]

Frank, that is an impressive run for sure!

[Canuck]

Nice gun! Unique idea putting a rib on a '97.

[Silvers]

Yes a nice '97 and it shot very well but I'd accumulated too many guns and - tough decision - it was included in my last collection reduction. It just sold last week. frank