Fascinating. Thanks Tom! (and Jim!).
Curiously, the first 1897 has muzzle roughly flush with the bayonet guide. The second 1897 it's proud, and the model 12 it's recessed. This means many of the "rules" the internet experts peddle are suspect (Say it isn't so!). In particular this one https://gunmagwarehouse.com/blog/the...o-get-scammed/
I greedily would love to see many more pictures of these guns. With repro and fakes abounding, and pictures of verifiable originals hard to find or confirm, milsurps is the perfect place to discuss, as I trust pictures of our members' guns much more than the above link. Maybe a new thread if Tom is willing? I have a copy of the old Poyer (not the newer coffee table book) and Canfield on the way (knowing that there may be a few "softer facts" there too).