Odd Mil marked Win '97

[hso]

I need "expert" advice on military Winchester Model 12s.

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 which is supposed to be correct.

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 stock is 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" and proofed stock.

Anyone got any further information to try to authenticate it?

Thanks.

Mike

 

[Jagermeister]

hso:
Not sure about the lack of a flame on the bomb, unless the gun has been refinished or possibly a mix-matched gun. I am attahing what I have and hope it may put some light on your quest.

JM

 

[Jagermeister]

hso

Win 97

 

[Jagermeister]

hso

 

[hso]

Thanks Jagermeister,

I've been reading Poyer's little book on the Win Trench and Riot Guns and have gotten the impression that there is little consistancy in the markings on the '97 riots from WWI. He states that only a fraction of the guns may have been marked at all until after WWI. Long barrel versions may be the guns sold off and rebarreled for hunting purposes or the long barreled versions that were used for aircraft gunnery practice. If it weren't for that "E" I'd have no doubt that the gun was an attemted counterfiet.

Mike

 

[hso]

Note the small ord bomb on the ejector side rear of the receiver. The "E" isn't clear on the underside image, but is clear in hand and appears contemporay with the serial number. The hammer is checkered and fine instead of roughly done, but I'd expect the fine checkering in a '46/'47 built shotgun.

 

[Jagermeister]

hso

One thing about it, looking at your photo, I believe the gun has been refinished, and put together from mix match parts. This is only a guestimation, not having actually seen and held the gun. From the looks of the curiture (convex) of the rear of the receiver it is a WWII model

JM