Stan- I am on the same page as you, I guess. I have some of the guns and pocket watches that belonged to the now long-gone male members of the family. The guns are worn with careful usage, blueing, stock finish- but are still functioning yet today.

But we should, perhaps, recall, that America went through the worst economic era from 1929 until we became "The Arsenal of Democracy" and to rural families, a shotgun meant meat on the table, and perhaps also an arm to defend their families against some of the desperadoes roaming the country back then- So, to some, that old M97 or Stevens double was a tool, like a hammer or a drill- no more, no less.

I like the M97, but way prefer the M12, as I don't much care for exposed hammer guns, especially in the cold weather we get up "Nawth"--RWTF

"The field is the touchstone of the man"..