(C) FACTORY ENGRAVED PIGEON GRADE WINCHESTER MODEL 1897 SLIDE ACTION SHOTGUN.

Circa 1904. Fitted with a blued matted rib 28" barrel with single brass bead sight. Takedown frame engraved on the right with an attractive live pigeon shoot scene with rope border. Left displays an upland game hunting scene. Additional rose and 4 leaf clover motifs engraved for good luck, as well as some additional decorative scroll. Bolt engraved "PIGEON GUN" between scrolls. A nearly identical example of this engraving pattern can be found on pages 315 and 316 of "Winchester Engraving" by Wilson. Walnut slide is checkered. Checkered round knob pistol grip stock with nice figure, ebony black diamond inlays, and early red rubber Winchester recoil pad. CONDITION: Good as restored. Gun retains nearly all of its reapplied blued finish, barring some slide wear. Slide has a 2" split running from the center screw and a few scattered marks. Stock appears lightly cleaned with only minor handling marks. Pad has largely crystalized. Bore has some orange peel and evidence of use. Fine mechanics. Barrel Length: 28" Choke: Full FFL Status: Curio & Relic Gauge: 12 Length of Pull: 13 - 1/4" Manufacturer: Winchester Model: 1897 Serial Number: 217339