Odd Win '97 markings

[hso]

I just handled a '97 with a 926,000 serial number that has some characteristics that look like a military '97 and others that don't.

The serial number is correct for a late WWII '97. The "E" is over the serial number on the underside of the receiver. There is an odd looking ord bomb on the right lower side of the receiver near the stock (I say odd because there are no flame lines on the ord bomb). The tube serial number matches the receiver. The stock is not proofed and appears to be appropriate for the age of the gun. The barrel is a long barrel that is full choke.

I'd suspect a counterfeit except for the serial number and "E".

Anyone got any further information to try to authenticate it?

Thanks.

Mike

 

[BigG]

I don't know much but I do know the military M97 is one of the most faked guns. I would be danged sure what I was buying before I handed over the green. since both halves of the gun are serial numbered I would think it was bogus - unless it was a gun bought for some General to duck hunt with??

An idea - lots of guns were given to the ungrateful British. The proofed them, etc. and usually didn't return them. Could that be the bomb mark?

 

[hso]

Brits used the "Broad Arrow" for military markings. Winchester shotguns of that era normally have matched serial numbers for receiver so that's not where you'd look for a fake. Many of the "trench" guns had no military markings according to some authorities and the only way to tell if the gun is a "trench" are the unique barrel and tube caps characteristics. The tube cap isn't the right type, but would have been replaced with a standard if the gun had been rebarreled to this longer length.

 

[BigG]

You seem to be pretty knowledgeable. My guess is that it is a *&^&% to rebarrel a Model 97 and not often done because the expense would be the same as buying a new shotgun. M97s were yeoman guns just up to recently. Not a big collector thing until the Cowboy Action Shooting craze.