The included factory letter confirms the model, serial number, gauge, "Type 'C' Large Bore" barrel, and May 7, 1898 date of shipment as a single gun on order number 8675. Single brass bead sight on the special order, heavy walled Type C barrel with standard two-line address and patent dates on top, "12" at the breech, 2 3/4 inch chamber, modified choke, and solid frame. 17 groove, round slide handle and pistol grip stock with smooth steel buttplate. With an original Winchester, single gun shipping crate marked "FRONT/WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO./NEW HAVEN CONN, U.S.A." on the front face, and addressed to a Richard White of Myrtle, Illinois with a Wells Fargo shipping stamp in the lower left corner of the lid. It is unusual to see a crate that only held one single gun as Winchester usually shipped to dealers and hardware stores in quantity and rarely to individuals.

Exceptionally fine with 85% plus original blue finish, well defined markings on the barrel, an area of cleaned pitting to the rear of the muzzle, areas of high point and edge wear, mottled brown/gray patina on top of the receiver, some light flaking blue, and a mixed gray/blue patina on the buttplate with pitting. The wood is very fine with most of the original rubbed oil finish, small dings, short hairline crack behind the receiver on the right side of the wrist, and some darker staining along the butt edge. Mechanically excellent. Crate is about good with an overall rough hewn appearance, legible markings, dings and dents throughout, and some warpage. This special order antique Winchester Model 1897 shotgun with its original shipping crate will make a great addition to any Winchester or sporting collection.