Winchester Model 97: JMB’s Most Iconic Shotgun

John Moses Browning is perhaps the most important firearms designer of all time. His influence persists to the present day in not only the production of arms he designed, but those inspired, at least in part, by his work. The Model 97 Winchester was another of his accomplishments. It was the first truly reliable smokeless pump shotgun, and it served the United States not only in times of war, but times of peace, and earned a hell of a reputation along the way.

The most notable and striking feature of the Model 97 is its exposed hammer. The hammer could be manually cocked, like most exposed hammer firearms, but the substantial bolt operated by the slight forward action on the pump to unlock the mechanism, then driven forcefully to the rear was the usual method of operation that resulted in the spent shell being ejected from the chamber and a fresh round being loaded from the magazine. 

The bolt cleared the rear of the receiver in the process of driving the hammer to the rear and ejecting/loading the gun. Like “Garand Thumb,” this sometimes caught the unwary off guard resulting in a skinned right thumb knuckle giving the Model 97 its most memorable appellation, the “Knuckle Duster.” 

Like Browning’s other designs, the Model 97 was immediately praised for its reliability and effectiveness, especially for its era. In most ways, the Model 97 was a “bomb-proof” gun. It worked if the user could operate it, it was a sound design for smokeless powder, it could handle the modern 2¾-inch shells with ease in 12-gauge and had absolutely no problem with 16-gauge shells, which was its alternate caliber. Everything from buckshot to birdshot to “pumpkin balls” worked well in the design.

American sportsmen were taken by the design from the beginning. It was tolerant of foul weather, it worked with virtually any manufactured ammo, and the versatility of the 12-gauge in particular served up everything from venison to squirrels and geese. Over a million Model 97s were made before production ceased.

However, the 97’s real reputation grew on the battlefield, and in the hands of the lawman and the lawless alike. Its reliability made it a notable battlefield weapon and the 12-gauge’s effectiveness cemented it. Although the Model 97 entered U.S. service before World War I, it was the Great War that cemented the love for the Model 97 and the shotgun in the trenches of France. 

To be fair, the shotgun had been a popular weapon on U.S. battlefields for well over a century. The fowling pieces and smoothbore muskets that equipped most Americans in the 18th century readily accommodated multiple projectiles, and “buck and ball” was a favorite American loading. 

The Irish Brigade was so pleased with the performance of buck and ball in its .69-caliber smoothbore muskets that it retained them well after most Union units had been equipped with rifled muskets during the American Civil War. 

On the opposing side, Confederate cavalry was well-known for carrying one, if not two shotguns per horse early in the war, and some of these were specifically modified to accommodate a bayonet. As a means of security on the rather dangerous roads of the United States, the shotgun has few equals. We still ride shotgun for a reason.

The Huns met the bad end of the 97 in the trenches of France in 1917 and 1918. By that time, U.S. troops had specially modified 97s that had a heat shield and a bayonet lug to accommodate the M1917 bayonet. The weapon was remarkably effective in clearing trenches of their German defenders, and when the ammo ran short, the substantial bayonet was also convincing. In a day when few troops wore body armor, the Model 97 loaded with buckshot became a very effective trench broom.

It was so effective, in fact, that the German government lodged a complaint against the shotgun’s use in battle. This is truly ironic considering the Germans’ prolific use of poison gas and flamethrowers, but when you’re getting your ass kicked, any excuse seems like a good one.

Following WWI, the Model 97 served on. It was present throughout the Pacific during WWII, alongside newer designs, and it still soldiers on with hunters. Many were modified over the years with such attachments as Cutts Compensators. The Model 97 was a cold killer in its day. Like your grandad, he may be old, but there is every reason to fear it still. Old school it may be, but it counted a lot of coup, and likely still does.

On the market, Model 97s bring a wide variety of prices. For a very good to excellent original sporting model, in either gauge, expect to pay in the neighborhood of $1,000. A good average 97 should being $500 to $600 if mechanically sound, but thin on the blue. There were some limited edition 97s manufactured, and some few were also engraved, but these are not very common and the auction market at any one time is the best barometer. 

If you want the most desirable of the 97s, an original trench gun, expect to pay $5,000 plus for a very good example. If you need a 97 to thrash, look for one of the Norinco repops. Thanks again to Jay Cobb for the loan of an excellent example.

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