[Dionysusigma]

Tomorrow I will be trading (or attempting to trade) a Mosin-Nagant for what appears to be an old WW1 trench shotgun. Manufacturer is Winchester, model indicates it is a 1911 SL, and operation is semi-auto. The salesman described it as a "widowmaker", since the barrel iteslf has to be jammed (hate to use that word, but it fits almost perfectly) into the receiver in order to chamber that first round. Condition is good, but I've never seen nor heard anything about this model, style of action, etc. Anyone have any input at all? Thanks in advance--pics to follow as soon as possible.

[Dave McCracken]

The 1911 is an oddity. It's also cranky, and the forearm wood tends to break if looked at hard. IMO, more use as curiosa than a shooter.

Note the knurling on the barrel. One has to push the barrel back into the receiver to chamber that first round, and a few of these tended to fire as the barrel returned to battery. That might be the source for "Widowmaker".

The competition for these was the Remington 11, a JMB design and a superb shotgun.

HTH....

[Dionysusigma]

All right--I've got pics...

Overall gun
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/261883/Winchester1911-1.JPG


Model # on tang
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/261883/Tang1.JPG


Logo on buttpad
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/261883/Buttpad1.JPG


Also, on the barrel are the following: NICKEL STEEL MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.NEW HAVEN.CONNECTICUT.USA.PAT.AUG.27.1901.FEB.25.NOV.4.1902.FEB.17.DEC.29.1903.APRIL 26.AUG.30.1904.MARCH 27.NOV.13.1906.NOV.23.1909.JAN.4.11.1910.JULY 18.1911.MAY 7..JUNE 1.1912. 12 GA. FULL

Serial number is a capital "A" over 372**
Any other input/ info?

[Okiecruffler]

I'd trade one of my M-N's for that any day, well most of them, a couple of them anyhow. Not sure if I'd ever shoot it, but it would look really great in the collection.