Product Description

IAC 1897 cowboy is a 12GA pump shotgun that is an exact reproduction of Winchester’s model 1897 except for added enhancements that improve safety and performance. This shotgun features an external hammer, 20” barrel and genuine hand rubbed American walnut stock.

Over one million Winchester Model 1897 pump shotguns were produced before they were discontinued in 1957. Most of them were produced before 1925. The IAC Model 97 is faithful to the original design except for added enhancements that improve the safety and performance of these guns.

Available in 12 gauge with a 20" barrel, this classic pump features a smooth action with positive feeding. The stocks are genuine, hand rubbed American Walnut.

Holding the trigger while pumping the gun will enable you to "slam-fire" the shotgun firing the shotgun very rapidly



Specifications
Model: 97
Gauge: 12ga 2 3/4" Chamber
Action: Pump with exposed hammer
Barrel: 20" with fixed cyl. Choke
Magazine: 5 rounds
Sights: Front bead
Frame: Solid
Stock: Hand-rubbed american walnut

History
The Winchester Model 1897 was designed by American firearms inventor John Moses Browning. The Model 1897 was first listed for sale in the November 1897 Winchester catalog as a 12 gauge solid frame. However, the 12 gauge takedown was added in October 1898, and the 16 gauge takedown in February 1900.
Originally produced as a tougher, stronger and more improved version of the Winchester 1893, itself an improvement on the early Spencer pump gun, the 1897 was identical to its forerunner, except that the receiver was thicker and allowed for use of smokeless powder shells, which were not common at the time.
Over time, “the model 97 became the most popular shotgun on the American market and established a standard of performance by which other kinds and makes of shotguns were judged, including the most expensive imported articles”.
The Winchester Model 1897 was in production from 1897 until 1957. It was in this time frame that the "modern" hammerless designs became common, like the Winchester Model 1912 and the Remington 870 and the Model 1897 was superseded by the Winchester Model 1912. However, the gun can still be found today in regular use.



Military use
The Model 1897 was popular before World War I, but it was after the war broke out that sales of the Model 1897 picked up. This was because many were produced to meet the demands of the Military. 
This model was ideal for close combat and was efficient in trench warfare due to its 20 inch cylinder bore barrel. Buckshot ammunition was issued with the trench grade during the war.