How can one match a manufacturers stamp on a shotgun to its manufacture date? EX: Winchester model 97 E97207

Answer 1

http://www.marauder.homestead.com/Model97sn.html

Check this out. Looks like your 1897 was made in 1900.

http://oldguns.net/sn_php/windateslookup.php

This one says 1901.