stevethejeep

Slightly off topic, but there are apocryphal tales of US troops in WW1 armed with Winchester '97 trench guns or Browning Auto 5's being tasked with shooting down incoming thrown German grenades. Is unenviable job was given to troops who had experience of game bird or skeet shooting. It must have concentrated the mind somewhat to stand there with an incoming grenade flying towards you, with a fraction of a second to aim, track fire and follow through before it lands on the ground close by an spoils you day ! I'll try to find a photo of this event actually taking place

If I can add my 3penny worth, to the slam-fire debate, and owning Winchester and Ithaca 'slam firers'. I can see no practical use for this function militarily, unless the enemy was in almost bayonet range in a confined area, such as a trench or bunker etc. The other possible use might be in a suppressive fire role, where the objective is to fill the air with as much flying metal as possible, to make the enemy keep their heads down, whilst maneouvers by other troops take place against them. The threat might be more perceived than actual. TM 9-285 states on page 17 relating to 'operation' of the Winchester 1897' "Caution During these operations the fingers should remain out side the trigger guard" and later on "Slamming of the mechanism, however, should be avoided. When the gun is being fired as a repeater, all pressure should be removed from the trigger while operating". Thus stated the US War Department in September 1942. Seldom required these days even in the heat of a 'flurry' stand at the local clay club ?? Cheers

I take your point Downforce, but there are 258 pages !

I bought a fairly new 9410 Sec2 a couple of years ago, nice bit of kit but I had trouble with holding the lever closed with sufficient force when firing, due to the straight stock to release the second safety that I sold it. My local gunsmith wouldn't disable the grip safety. A friend in Derbyshire has had one a long time and his has no grip /lever safety. Seems that only the more recent ones were so fitted. I paid £900 and sold it easily for the same.

Hi one and all, found these reproductions available at very modest cost from within the UK hope this helps you fellow 'pumpers'. Let me know how you get on. Impala, do I recognise the '37DS posted Nov 22?? Damn fine gun! I have had a 1960s Marlin 39A Mountie for decades which is a wonderful gun, equal favourite rifle to my Winchester 62a pump which is another old friend. Best Wishes Steve The US Army WWII Shotgun Handbook_ Shotguns, All Types - War Department Technical Manual, 1942 (TM 9-285) - Full Size Edition by Media, Carlile_ As New (2019) _ GreatBookPricesUK.html The US Army WWII Shotgun Handbook_ Shotguns, All Types - War Department Technical Manual, 1942 (TM 9-285) - Full Size Edition by Media, Carlile_ As New (2019) _ GreatBookPricesUK (1).html

Hello again, I've recently stumbled across the Marlin 1898 pump, which I'd not heard of before. I wasn't aware that Marlin made p/a shotguns (I've had several of their excellent rifles) This shotgun bears more than a passing resemblance to JMB's design the Winchester 1897. Has anyone had a 'hands on' experience or better still fired one? I've not heard of a Marlin shotgun before, but they renowned for good quality lever action rifles pre the Ruger takeover.

Thank you for the kind remarks, I've no idea how to digitise it Scrumbag, waaay above my paygrade !! Only recently found out how to cook meat 'ere! Seriously as it's 80yrs old this year I'd be reluctant to force it open 'flat' as might destroy the spine and bindings as probably not top quality to begin with, being a 'industrial' publication. There's a local printer/bookbinder in Tiverton, I might see if he's any ideas.

Hello from a dull Devon, Whilst in the midst of a protracted coterminous renewal (a six month saga!!) I came across this little gem from September 1942 giving detailed instructions for the use, maintenance, stripping and reassembly of these shotguns for use by the US Army. I've been interested in US WW2 vehicles, militaria and firearms for 50+years but never come across this before. Sorry I can't show you more of this fascinating and relevant (to me) historic publication Hope 'pumpers' all enjoy

Morning Gents, Following the tragic events in Plymouth recently, I so do hope that there is no 'knee-jerk' legislative reaction against pump action firearms such as we saw following the awful murders in Hungerford and Dunblane. a while ago. I lost rifles as a result of the former and pistols the latter. However it seems that in this case the licencing authority reissued/returned the perpetrator's certificate recently, having withdrawn it for an unknown reason. Whilst condolences to those affected by this awful event, lets hope that cooler heads prevail legislatively this time.

Hi Gents, Never used G/B in anything but O/U guns, but extraction problems with my first M37 were solved by polishing the chamber to a mirror finish, and using 'high brass' shells like Winchester Super Speeds which cured it. Worth checking the condition of the extractor claws and that the top one is correctly aligned woth the 'slot' machined in the barrel. Hope these 'words of wisdom' from Impala originally help. Steve

Evening Gents, I'm on my second 1897 (see earlier photos) and third M37 so I'm getting the hang of them. A friend in Northamptonshire has a Norinco clone '97 which in my humble opinion is awful in every respect. I refused to actually fire it. I had an original trench gun in the '70's , but apart from it's scarcity value, was neither one thing nor t'other .I've still got the 1917 bayonet and US scabbard . I'd be patient, save my money and a genuine '97 will turn up sooner or later. When all said and done not every one can get a Sec 1 variation, nor stump-up £750+ ,so they're not generally a quick seller on the retail market,

Hello, You don't happen to have a spare barrel by any chance please? Steve

I'm seeking a Browning Auto 5 Final Tribute or other special edition, in excellent/mint/unfired condition, or preferably unadulterated but Sec 2 considered. Must be in UK Mainland have FAC & SGC and cash!

Evening Gents, As I type (8/7/20) there's a Stevens Model 67 series E @£ 165 advertised by Guns and Guns of Surrey if anyone's interested? It's FAC but at that money would be worth converting to Sec ? Hope this is of use to a fellow 'pumper'! Regards to all Steve

If the 62A was in good order that would be a bargain as on GT and GS they currently range from £195 for a Rossi copy to an ambitious £795 ! Mine's a 1941 just before production stopped due to the Yanks entering WW2, works perfectly, I love shooting it and can still get a 3" group at 50 yards. Regards to all Steve

Morning from a sunny Devon, Day 5 of self isolation so going through 'stuff' on my computer and found a photo of two of my Winchesters together which is I guess is fairly uncommon sight. At the top is my Winchester 1897 Black Diamond Trap in 12 gauge from 1910, and below is my Winchester 62A in .22rf from 1941. The ^"A or one just like it was the first firearm I ever fired as a 12yr old at Wilson's Funfair in Kenilworth, Warwickshire in the early '60's. Apologies for poor quality of photo. A 'live' .22 shooting range complete with ducks on moving chains and pin pong balls in jets of water was still doing the steam fair circuits in the early 2000's, I saw it in action at Banbury and Dorset steam fairs. Happy Days Steve

Morning Gents, Interested in comments on '97 trench gun. A RFD chum had one decades ago and I had the opportunity to try it as well as 'feel the steel'. My verdict was as excellent weapon for what it was intended for ie close quarters combat and as a deterrentant on guard/sentry duty. Aside from that the applications are/were limited due to the spread of shot at say 20 yards, I looked into converting one of my '97s a while ago but decided against it as I was going to ruin an original gun, and I didn't think the 'Boys in blue' were likely to give me a Section 5 variation on my FAC. However I've still got a 1917 bayonet and scabbard in good condition if anyone's interested? Regards Steve

Thanks for your kind remarks gents, and thanks for the correction Impala, it is a 1977 not '87 and is further thus dated by the chequering on the stock, rather than the rolled on later guns and the smaller 'corn cob' fore end unlike to larger ones on later guns.The dealer who sold it told me that it was owned by an 'eccentric' gentleman who had owned it from new, and had sold his entire collection due to a stroke. Looking at it, I'd guess it he was a collector rather than a shooter as I've never had a used gun with so little blemishes upon it including my B2G Looking forwards to Impala having a 'feel of the steel' when he visits later this summer and his consequential words of wisdom. Regards to all Steve

Hi Folks, Just a quick one to show my latest addition to the family. Another Ithaca M37 from 1987, seemingly with very little use and no abuse. When it stops raining for 10 minutes looking forwards to trying it on a few clays in field next to house. It's only the third one I've had ........... so long way to go to catch up with Impala! Regards Steve

Evening Gents, Not a pump but relevant I think, I've shot everything except wildfowl with a Miroku 600 26" skeet gun for 45+ yrs. It's always done the job for me, all I do is change the shot size and wadding dependant on what I'm expecting to shoot. Thanks for the kind remarks re my latest purchase, will post some photos when it arrives. Steve

Good afternoon Ladies and Gents, Just bought another Sec1 M37, reputedly in unabused original condition (the way I like 'em) the third I've had so far plus two 1897's, .......... just can't leave them alone! Collecting from local RFD Fri/Sat, lets hope it stops raining for 5 mins so I can step out and try it. Photos to follow. Regards Steve

Morning from a sunny if chilly Devon, Sheer distance precludes me from attending this event, but I wish all concerned both an enjoyable and successful day, thanks for the invite. Regards Steve

Hello from sunny Devon, I've just acquired a Browning Twelvette in good order to add to my JMB collection (know this was his son) and I'm after a raised rib barrel ideally 26" or WHY, wonder if you can help please? I think we've 'spoken' before on pump club, and I lived nr Silverstone for 30yrs before moving to Cornwall and now in glorious Devon! 01398 332130 will find me most times. Regards Steve

Hello from a damp Devon, Thanks for the offer of the 25 10/22 mag Impala, but it's an original 10shot I'm after as it doesn't protrude from the profile of the gun and get in the way or knocked about Nice woodwork on that new BPS the gentleman in Scotland's got, I'm very impressed with that ! Regards Steve