per the records, the last '97 was made in '57. there could have still been some new ones sitting on a shelf in '61.

the only one that ever bit my thumb had a late model 12 butt stock on it instead of the original. with the original wood, there's no problem with the bolt clearing the shooters thumb. if it doesn't that's operator error. the m12 stocks mostly fit but position the thumb higher - too high.

roger