Looking to buy these. m12 and m97 trench?

Hey guys i no u get tired of the same ole questions. But ive researched and researched some more and im still not confident to determine real to fake. One is a m97 trench the other a m12. dont no alot about either. The owner (which is an older gentleman) says they are both trench guns. another interesting thing he pointed out about the model 12 (which does have the attachment grooves) is that after its service it was used as a prison guard gun and fitted with a cutts compenator. he says the end of the barrel is threaded but the compensator is long gone? All i have in pics right now are the serial numbers and basic pictures of the gun and reciever U.S. marking. Please let me no what u guys think. Thanks in advance.

BTW these are the only pics i have at the moment. Will post more as soon as i get them.

The Model 12 has lost any real collector value due to the modification to the barrel for the Cutts. Personally, I'd pass on that one.

Need more photos of the Model 1897 to tell if it is correct including to tell if the hand stamped "US" is legit. I guess that is some white marker or chalk the seller put on the markings? There should also be a flaming bomb hand stamp there, but I can't see it in the photo.

Ok so the cutts on the model 12 ruined it? Thank sucks. If I did buy it what would be a fair price to pay?

Ok I will try to get some more pics of both actually. Thanks alot Tom !!

more pics

Is that heat shield a repro?

Yes it is!!

---------- Post added at 01:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:58 AM ----------

Hopefully if its worth getting I can find an original to put on it. He said it does have the grooves in the barrel

I wouldn't pay much for the 12 then. It's just a sum total of it's parts...

So what ? Maybe $700?

Maybe...around here(Canada) that would be still a bit much. I would look at maybe $4-500 max. There isn't anything right about it...the cross grooves are in an altered barrel. Are the makings correct? CYL marked altered barrel...repro hand guard. Like I said, just a banger to me.

What's the serial number of the gun? That might be a clue as to whether it was originally a riot gun or trench gun.

1018712 is the serial #. So from the pics what all are wrong guys? I no the hand guard is wrong. And the barrel has been threaded. The stock has no cartouche. Prrly a replacement. Is the barrel not suppose to be marked cyl? The magazine tube looks correct to me? Has the us flaming bomb receiver and the flaming bomb on the barrel.

Also guys. There are some pics of the serial number. Could u take a look and see if it looks to have been refinished?

Never mind a re-finish, the stock is replacement(no marking), the barrel is altered, no hand guard(reproduction)...there may be a great deal more if the pics are larger and we(Tom D) could see them better, we could tell more.

Sorry, I did not see the original photo of the serial number. The number on the receiver extension is pretty light. Maybe a refinished gun.

And with that serial number it likely left the factory as a trench gun.

Oo n/p Tom. I really appreciate your help on this one. I offered $600. I hope he takes it;)