Last week my father in law gave me a WIN 1897 chambered in 12GA.  He knows I am into guns and said he had no use for it.  

Was wondering if anyone could tell me what the correct recoil pad this shotgun should have on it and where I might find one.

The shotgun originally had a ugly melted orange Pachmayr type recoil pad I removed as it was totally unusable due to long term storage in an attic.

Believe this is the normal WIN 1897 field grade model.

WIN Model 1897
Chambered in 12 GA
Hammer
No Checkering on Stock
Barrel Length appears to be 30"
Barrel marked "Full"
Bead on front of barrel
SER: 5053XX
"E" Stamped - believe that means the receiver group was produced using the last set of mechanical changes during the guns production run.

Believe the manufacture date is 1912 when I researched the serial number.

Many thanks

I'll dig mine out when I get home and put you a pic up

Many thanks.  I suspect it should be one of the hard rubber recoil pads not the metal ones but I wasn't sure.

If it is I think Numrich has what I need.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/247960A.htm

I believe that my '97 had a metal butt plate on it.  I'll have to look through the parts box.

I have a 97 made in 1909 and it has a hard rubber butt plate.

Here you go



Off of mine serial # 4553## but a 16 guage and I guess would make it made in 1910

Here's mine, sorry it took so long to get back to you

Thanks for the pictures very helpful.

Last question: does anyone know what made the difference from one shotgun getting the rubber recoil pad vs. the steel pad?  

Did it have to do with the grade of the shotgun such as field grade vs. presentation grade, etc?

Thanks!

No idea but mine is a field grade as well and the spitting image of yours other than more wear an a 16 gauge.

OP, check your PM's.

Sent you an IM.  BLUF: the recoil pad I ordered from Numrich did not fit not even close enough to sand to fit.  Hangs off the bottom stock tang at least a 1/2" and leaves an 1/8" gap at the top of the stock butt.

Measured the holes center to center on my stock and my calipers say 3.25".

Holes on the new recoil pad measure 3.40" center to center......

 
Good choice. Steel, just like I put on my takedown '97, made in 1941

OP, you're gonna have to go back with a rubber Pachmayr type pad.  Your stock has been cut off and cut square for such an install.  A factory plate simply is not going to fit anywhere near properly and if cut to fit, the stock is going to be too short to comfortably shoot.  It will also look "odd".

MLG

I think your right.  Not sure what the original measurement should be but mine measures a little over 12 1/2"

The '97 stock is a boat ore anyways.  Cut it down and mount a grind-to-fit pad on it.