m97 trench

hello,to everyone,I have been reviewing your forum,and find some interested reading here,I am currently doing some research on the 1897 trench/riot guns,I am just getting started on the military version of these guns,I have a few of the standard models,there seems to be many different opinions on these guns across the internet,I hoping someone will post a collection of the most facts that are known,I have seen prices from 3k to 5 k listed as selling price,but not what condition they are in,what is the average condition they are found in,were all redone after ww1 that were kept in the arsenal,if so were they all parkerized,or some blued and by who,did they manufacture the barrels 20 inches from the factories,or were they cut down from longer barrels,if reworked by govt or winchester how does this affect value,does a trench gun coverted to a riot after the war kill the collector value,I am looking to purchase one,I am trying to do the homework first,thanks for your time

Holy crow...anyway, welcome to the neighbourhood. There's lots of publications about these guns and most of us that collect have several different. You might save typing time if you got...United States Combat Shotguns by Bruce Canfield. This is only one and I'm sure the rest of the titles will shortly follow. Also if you have a particular gun in question, post pics and we'll sort it out...

Thank you for your reply,yes my typing finger got a work out,I have read a lot of information on these,I have friends that are long time collectors,but at some point,theres some head rubbing going on,this forum has more knowledge further on than most,I do have one I am looking at,it falls in 680,xxx serial range,has the us,flaming bomb,three notches at the end of the barrel,marked cyl.,also has date stamp right top of barrel near receiver,no sight,marks on the receiver near the bolt,looks like it clamped to something,or in a vice?,it is missing the hand guard and lug,has the riot band for the magazine,same owner since the 1960s,bought then for less than $100.00,do not suspect a fake,just doing some homework to determine a fair price for both parties,when I figure out the picture upload I will try to post pictures,again thanks much

It's vastly reduced because of what it hasn't got...Yes, we need pics.

I will work on that,thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by carl-d

no sight

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If the barrel has been fitted with a bead front sight (or has provision for said), then you might as well price it as a disfigured riot gun. If the barrel hasn't been cut back and there's no front sight hole, then your propects are much better!

Here's a "ruint" riot gun:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...IMG_0511-1.jpg

Was a very nice piece until some joker attempted (and failed) to make a trench gun...

It has no hole for a sight,my question about the barrels being cut down from standard barrels or manufactured,this one is thicker and a little flat compared to a standard choked barrel looking at it from the wrong end down the barrel,thanks for your reply,it may be a while before I can get pictures to post