Winchester model 97 will not cycle

[jackelope]

My father in law passed away a few months ago and this past weekend, I went to get all his guns out of the house. My mother in law didn’t feel comfortable having them there and I didn’t mind taking them off of her hands. One of them is an old Winchester model 97 pump shotgun. It either doesn’t pump like it’s seized stuck shut or I’m not smart enough to figure out how to cycle it. Anyone have any experience with one that’s stuck?
Thanks.

[wadu1]

Are you sure it's a model 12 Remington? Model 12 Rem's are .22's.

[jackelope]

Are you sure it's a model 12 Remington? Model 12 Rem's are .22's.

Welp. Maybe not. Hold please.
Lordy. It’s a Winchester Model 97. Holy smokes. Got a model 12 too. The problem child is a Winchester Model 97.

[wadu1]

Win 97's not locking usually indicates crud buildup and needing a good cleaning. What year was the Model 12 made? If you get me the SN I can look it up.

[mudflat mike]

If a ‘97 gets put on “half cock” ya can’t move anything and the action release button won’t work either. Being VERY careful, in case it’s loaded, either move the hammer to full cock and, using the action release button, push the slide a fraction towards the muzzle, then open the gun by pulling it rearward, or lower the hammer all the way down, push the pump handle a fraction towards the muzzle, then back opening the action
These are really cool old guns, but they have some quirks!

[mudflat mike]

Also, if they’re working like they were designed, they won’t open after dry firing unless you push the pump handle forward, towards the muzzle a fraction. You will hear a small “click” then the gun will open when the pump is pulled back. It’s a John Browning safety thing!😵‍💫