Tanaka Model 1897 "Early Riot Gun" HW Ver.2 Model Gun (New Release November 11, 2025)

Around the 1860s, the setting for Western movies, shotguns typically had a construction in which the number of barrels matched the number of rounds. Later, repeating shotguns, capable of firing repeatedly from a single barrel, emerged. A prime example of this was the Model 1897, designed by firearms master John M. Browning. Featuring a pump-action mechanism, external hammer, and tubular magazine, it was an innovative design, and by keeping the finish to a practical range, it also succeeded in keeping costs low. Widely adopted by police and the military, it was deployed by the U.S. Army in trench warfare during World War I, where its power was fully demonstrated.
Civilian versions were primarily 30-inch barreled rifles designed for hunting, but a 20-inch barrel model was also manufactured for law enforcement. This was the "Riot Model." Designed for riot control and maintaining peace, this short-barreled rifle was a deadly weapon in urban areas during the Roaring Twenties, when Prohibition was enacted.

What we are introducing today is a model of the earliest Riot Gun that was previously sold. A distinctive feature is the early model's design, with a rounded bottom grip on the stock. Just like the original, it has been handcrafted by a woodworking craftsman, and the butt plate has also been newly produced and reproduced. Furthermore, the magazine tube is fixed in the same way as the early model, with a system that is connected and held integrally with the tip of the barrel. The fore-end has been changed from the conventional clamping type to a type that is fixed with a screw from the side.
The "Early Riot Gun" faithfully reproduces these early-era details and is now available in a heavyweight version. Approximately 500g heavier than the ABS model, it eliminates the flex typical of resin and achieves a rigidity closer to that of a real gun. The surface is made of heavyweight resin with a rough-grain blasting process, further enhancing the texture. The wooden stock and fore-end feature a special finish that recreates the look of wear.

Furthermore, Ver.2's operability has been improved. Parallel double-cap gunpowder delivers a piercing explosion and stable firing. The dynamic action of the carrier catching the shell as the bolt retracts, combined with the metallic operating sound, creates an addictive appeal. Once you get your hands on one, you'll be captivated by its power.
(※ 7mm cap powder firing type M1897 ver.2 shotgun shells included)

▲Unlike trench guns, the forend is secured with screws from the side.

▲The rounded grip of the early model was also recreated by hand by a woodworker. The butt plate was also newly made.

【specification】

Total length: 985 mm
Weight: 2,000g
Magazine capacity: 6
Notes:

• Main material: HW resin + zinc die-cast
• Cartridge used: M1897 ver.2 shotgun shell
• M1897 ver.2 shotgun shells (2 included)
• 7mm cap gunpowder firing system
• Release date: Mid-November 2025