Winchester 97 trench shotgun

[Flyboy73]

I saw a local auction coming up that has a 97 trench shotgun. I don't know much about them and wanted to make sure the gun sounds real.

This is what was posted on the website "Winchester 1897 Trench Gun Marked US mfg 1900 serial no.142889 w/sling" Seems what i read the serial number could be to low?

Any info on what to look for would help.

Thanks
Brion

 

[b money]

I have looked over quite a few 97's lately and it seems the majority have a 1900 patten date marked on the barrel. Unless this is a high end auction house like Rock Island Auction I'm guessing who ever was cataloging the guns just saw "1900" and said "hey there we go". Belive me I go to a lot of auctions and most of the time they don't know or even care what they are selling(especially guns). If they think they can make an extra buck by saying a beat to h*ll rifle has "patina" they will.

Sorry I can't be of any help with the SN but I'd assume Winchester didn't start making trench guns till WWI so even if it was a 1900 someone probably just found the parts and converted it.

Just my two cents

Edit- just re-read your post and the "US mfg 1900" really sounds like they just saw a patten date. If the auction has a preview go and take a look. Remember the receiver should have the flaming bomb and more than likely(having possibly been through 3-4 wars) it's been rebuild at a gov arsenal(if real of course) so it should have cartouche's on the stock to prove so.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[eastbank]

i bought a commericial fn rifle in 244 remington with a 3x9 leupold verix 11 scope that was listed as a rebarreled 98 mauser at a public auction for 300.00. it was started at 300.00 and no one bid on it but me. the scope alone is worth about 200.00. so go look at preview time,it may be a real gem. eastbank.

 

[Sav .250]

Those things kick like a mule. Keep an eye on the hammer. Cold fingers and that puppy don`t mix. J s/n.

 

[Red Cent]

http://www.gunrunnerauctions.com/listings/details/index.cfm?itemnum=1007581235

 

[rcmodel]

That serial number is for a 1902 gun.

The U.S entered WWI in 1917.
Some time after that, the need for trench shotguns became obvious, and the M-97 was fitted with a hand-guard, bayonet, and sling, and was produced in large numbers for the military.

I would say if the auction gun was made in 1902, somebody made a trench gun out of it after hand-guards & stuff became available as war surplus sometime after WWI ended in 1918.

rc

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Before you dive in too deep - be certain it has a CYL(inder) bore marked barrel, note stock cartouches and see that the two serial numbers match if it's a take-down.

After that, I've seen a few with modified Norinco bolts and poor repro HG's get too much money as originals.

 

[krupparms]

As I was cleaning out a shed about 8 years ago, I happened to look into part of the wall that had a few boards tacked on part of the corner. They looked wrong as if just put on quick. I pulled them off & found a Winchester 1897 PSG! It was rusted & the action was frozen shut! It seemed to all be there, but no wood, just metal! As I was thinking about buying one for cowboy shooting. I called some gunsmiths &was told to sell it as is! They all said I could get enough money to by 3new model 97s for what I got for real 97, even in that shape! I have not fooled with it yet. I did ask the lady that owned the shed &she told me I could have it ! I told her it could be worth some money, but she didn't want it &said I could have it. I tryed to pay her some cash, but she said no.I am not sure what I will do with it now as I cannot fix it like I used to. Getting to old to do some of the restoreing work I use to. Will probably sell it . I don't know what it is worth! Any guesses? Marry X-MAS &HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

[Tom D]

That serial number (142889) is way too early for a Model 1897 trench gun. They didn't start making them until WWI. The bayonet adaptor/heat shield assembly was not even invented until around WWI and only patented in 1918.

By the way, that trench gun on Gunrunners auction website has a reproduction cartouche and Ordnance mark.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Red Cent,

According to Canfield, SN E954288 is within the known range for a late WW2 M97 trench gun (E921300 - E986300).

Brion,

"All verified original WW1 era ... E613000 - E705000." Sounds way too early...

 

[Flyboy73]

All verified original WW1 era ... E613000 - E705000." Sounds way too early

Does anyone know if they took some eariler guns and converted them or was it all new guns made into the trench config?

Brion

 

[Fred Fuller]

No such thing mentioned by Canfield - the "all verified" SN range is it, as far as the data he provides.

Good number of fakes out there, given the level of collector interest in .mil shotguns.

 

[Red Cent]

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?232373-Winchester-Trench-1897-original