Description
- Additional information
This is the Winchester Model 97 Sear, for the Winchester Model 1897 pump shotgun.
John Browning designed the 1897 as a redesign of his own Model 1893, which Winchester had built for black powder just as smokeless shells were arriving. Winchester recalled the 1893 and sent owners a new 1897 free of charge, which is why surviving 1893s are scarce today. Serial numbers simply continued from the earlier gun, picking up around 34150. Roughly a million Model 97s were built between July 1897 and September 1957.
Sixty years of production means running changes. Parts suppliers catalog early, intermediate and late variations of several 97 components, action slides and trigger stop screws among them. Compare this part against the one coming out of your gun rather than assuming the model name settles it.
Included: Sear only, the exact part pictured.
Fits:
- Winchester Model 1897, 12 gauge solid frame
- Winchester Model 1897, 12 gauge takedown
- Winchester Model 1897, 16 gauge takedown
The 16 gauge was cataloged in takedown only, so a solid frame 16 is not a factory configuration. To tell your gun apart: a pin crossing the muzzle end of the magazine tube means takedown, while a hanger attached to the barrel means solid frame.
A note on gauges: The 12 and 16 gauge guns use the same size receiver. The components commonly reported not to interchange between them are the shell handling parts — breech bolt, carrier, cartridge stop and adjusting sleeves. Compare before ordering across gauges.
Does not fit: The Winchester Model 1893. It is the earlier and different gun, identified by an extra cutout at the top of the receiver at the ejection port. Also does not fit the Model 1912 or Model 12, which is the hammerless successor and a separate design.
Fitting: This is a fire control part and should be fit by a qualified gunsmith. Compare the nose, the pivot hole and the overall profile against the sear coming out of your gun before installing. Once assembled, function check on an empty gun before loading: confirm the hammer holds at full cock and at half cock, that it does not drop when the gun is bumped, and that the trigger releases cleanly.
One thing not to mistake for a fault: the Model 97 has no trigger disconnector. The gun firing when the action is closed with the trigger held is original design behavior, not a sign of a bad sear. Watch instead for hammer follow and for failure to hold at either notch. Do not load the gun until it passes.
Please note: Buyer is responsible for verifying correct fit for their specific firearm. Installation should be performed by a qualified gunsmith. Please review all photos, as they are part of the description and show the actual item you will receive.
Condition: Used, with the original dark finish largely intact and the as-forged surface texture still showing across the body. Bright wear polishes the raised pad at the tail and the stepped face at the nose, both from bearing against the housing in service. The nose face is flat and square with no rounding, peening or chipping along its edge. The pivot hole is round with clean bore walls. The body is true, with no bends or cracks. There is a small patch of light surface oxidation on the opposite face — surface only, with no pitting beneath it.
Additional information
| Weight | 0.2 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 7 × 5 × 0.5 in |
| Part |
Sear |
| Brand |
Winchester |
| For Gun Make |
Winchester |
| Model |
Winchester Model 97 |
| Gauge/Caliber |
12 Gauge / 16 Gauge |
| For Gun Type |
Shotgun |
| Country of Origin |
United States |
| Color |
Blued Steel |
| Material |
Steel |
| MPN |
17797 Sear |
