Vixen: Pardon my slow reply I have been out late season Elk scouting.
It is my understanding that the terms "97" and "1897" when referring to Marlin 22 rimfire Rifles are referencing the same Model (properly, I guess!) as the Model 1897.
Kind of like folks referring to the Winchester 1894 as a "94".
I looked in my index for the Marlin Firearms Guide and they list the Model 1897 Lever Action Rifle as "1897 - 97".
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
