Hello all. I hope this is right place for my question and not inundating you all with this. As part of my research in learning as much as I can on my new Trench 97, I would very much appreciate any help on ID'ing/confirming this piece from the wealth of knowledge here. Note: I am not new to WW2 milsurps and own a few other rare WW2 firearms, but have NEVER owned or fired any mililtary vintage shotguns - let alone a Winchester 97 Trench (of which I have only seen one previously in person, in all my collecting years where I live). I have some basic acquired knowledge of Trenches but nowhere near what some here possess. I also do not have any books on the Trench 97 - not "yet" anyways. So bare with me in my post and again much thanks to any info you can provide.
I took a chance in buying this last week with my limited knowledge as I know there are a lot of "fake" Trench 1897's out there. The price however was right, and it came from a reputable and very nice dealer who just got this firearm from an estate sale, which he in turn sold to me for near what he paid as his interest is not in military pieces. In short, I paid about $250 more than a NORINCO TRENCH repro which I have coincidentally been eyeing under the logic that that is not too much extra $ for a gun with at least "some original parts" that still works. So if it turns out to be a fake, at least it only cost me a couple 100 bucks and not over $1000, with at least some provenance. Here's a text description followed by pictures:
Overall, the finish is very old and with lots of patina (except heatshield and bayo lug assembly which appear “younger” than the rest of the gun). Some very minor surface pitting on the barrel, tub mag, and receiver sides but no major rust. Internals and bore however show that it was nurtured and taken care of (bore is almost 100% with absolutely no pitting and very bright). Gun shows “rigorous” use externally with handling marks, small dents and gouges in the stock, and some minor dents on some edges. Trigger half-cock safety works perfectly with no play and very strong. Slide action is smooth and operates as it should, as well as action release button. There is however some looseness on the handguard and slide action which I hear is normal for a gun that has seen a lot of use for almost 100 years. There are no cracks in any of the wood parts. A clue as to history may be with the web sling as it has a tiny date on the clasp (sorry no pics), of 1961 suggesting use in Vietnam???? I really wish it could talk!
Details:
• serial # 674xxx - w/ “E” above the serial #
• solid frame
• made in early 1918 or late 1917. Verified by comparing to other trench guns in the serial range at Buffalo Bill Center in Cody Wyoming – no other data was available when contacted, so could not obtain a Winchester letter for this gun.
• US ordnance flaming bomb marked on the r-side of the receiver
• length and is just over 39” in total
• 20” barrel - no year stamp on barrel but has CYL and proof markings on barrel and forward receiver, with side barrel markings complete but partially hidden by heatshield
• “appears” to have parkarized receiver but applied many years ago
• parkerized 4-row ventilation hole heatshield and bayonet lug with “W” Winchester marking
• Winchester butt plate appears black and made of hard plastic/rubber
• GHD cartouche and cross cannons faintly visible on left side of butt stock
Photos tell the rest...
THANK YOU AGAIN!
THANK YOU!Information
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