Jammed Model 97 solved

[Oldtimer]

I finally got around to working on the Model 97 that I had posted about on 27 March.  The bolt was open and would not close.  It turns out that someone oiled it probably decades ago and the oil turned to varnish.  It took some spray lube and a rubber hammer to get things working again. Unfortunately, the hammer spring is still out of commission.  I will take down the gun on Sunday to see if it is also gunked up.  I had the same problem come up some years ago when a neighbor brought me a SMLE that his father had used. :?

[williek]

Be sure to take the trigger out of the trigger housing and clean all the crud out that accumulates over the years underneath the trigger.  Without knowing it, it leaves you with a hair trigger that can go off at the slightest touch.  I worked on these for a number of years.  People would come in complaining that the gun would go off when they pumped it hard.
That can be very dangerous, to say the least.
They are a great old gun.  I grew up shooting my uncle's for ducks.
Many fond memories about hunting with a 97.
williek

[Oldtimer]

Thanks for the reminder.  I have cleaned a .22 semiautomatic that had entire receways filled with mess.  That's why the man only got $5 when I bought the gun.  If he had thought to clean it, I don't think he would have sold it.