The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Hello all.

Today I left work after lunch and went to Cabela's in Hazelwood Missouri just to look around and maybe find some Tokarev ammo for my pistol. (I didn't) While looking through the racks of guns I found two Winchester 1897's similar to mine here. One was marked around $400.00 bucks and the other was almost a $1,000. Did these things jump in price or are some of these rare and worth more. Both were full size 12 gauge guns.

Was the cheaper one made in China? There is a replica Winchester 1897 made in China. So far as I know all original Winchester 1897's are expensive unless very worn or damaged.

I was under the impression they were undervalued. I use my at meat shoots. I guess I may need to rethink that.

Mine is a trench gun, the real thing, not a repop so some of the offers I get are higher than regular bird guns would command, but still, any '97 in any configuration made by Winchester is a desirable item.

Odd. I find 30" full ones in "meh" condition all around here for @$300.

A few years ago my father gave me all of his weapons. I did a little research on all of them and none of them were very valuable. I'm guessing its like everything else. Eventually some things go up in value due to time. I have used my 97 at a few competitive events and its a great weapon. Its fun beating young guys with their new guns.

The cowboy action shooters drove prices up, not hunters, or collectors. They look for '97's to turn into short barrel shotguns that are period correct. When you see a company tool up to reproduce any sort of antique firearms that would be a very good indication that demand is high.

I can't even touch a Model 12 around here for $300, hold it for ten minutes maybe.

Picked up one of these myself this past weekend while visiting friends in Virginia. The butt stock is cracked pretty bad as most seem to be but the rest of the gun is in pretty good shape. The bore looks as good as any new shotgun I own, very surprised to see that.

These were not cheap guns, one of the reasons they became so expensive to produce. If they were taken care of they would last forever.