Winchester Model 1897

The Winchester Model 1897 is a pump-action shotgun with an external hammer and tube magazine. It was offered in 12 and 16 gauge, solid frame or takedown. Numerous barrel lengths were offered.

Description
The Model 1897 was an evolution of the Winchester Model 1893 designed by John Browning. It was the first truly successful pump-action shotgun produced. From 1893 until it was discontinued by Winchester in 1957, over a million of the type were produced in various grades and barrel lengths. 16-gauge guns had a standard barrel length of 28 inches, while 12-gauge guns were furnished with 30-inch length barrels. Special length barrels could be ordered in lengths as short as 20 inches, and as long as 36 inches.

History
Originally produced as a tougher, stronger version of the Winchester 1893, itself a takeoff on the early Spencer pump gun, the 1897 was identical to its forerunner (the 1893), except that the receiver was thicker and allowed for use of smokeless powder shells, which were not common at the time. The 1897 also introduced a "take down" design, where the barrel could be taken off; a standard in pump shotguns made today, like the Remington 870. The 1897 was in production from 1897 until the mid- to late 1950s, when the "modern" hammerless designs became common, like the Winchester Model 1912 and the Remington 870. The gun can still be found today in regular use.

Military use
The United States military used a short-barreled version known variously as the "trench" or "riot" shotgun. It was developed into a version issued to U.S. troops during World War I, which was modified by adding an adapter with bayonet lug for affixing a M1917 bayonet.

Unlike most modern pump-action shotguns, the Winchester Model 1897 (versions of which were type classified as the Model 97 or M97 for short) fired each time the action closed with the trigger depressed (that is, it lacks a trigger disconnector). That and its six-shot capacity made it extremely effective for close combat, such that troops referred to it as a "trench sweeper". It was used in limited numbers during World War II by the United States Army and Marine Corps.