Two Model 97 riot guns with the lug ground off?

[Blockhead]

I recently picked up two Model 97s that once were the property of the Denver Police Department - neat looking guns. However, both riot guns had the ventilated barrel shroud removed and parts of the bayonet lug ground off (it definitely looks like they had them at one time--you can clearly read the patent numbers on what remains). Was this common for police departments to do this?

Information

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[Tom Doniphon]

Yes, police departments did sometimes remove the heatshields and bayo adaptors.

Do your shotguns have the 3 transverse grooves on the underside of the barrel at the muzzle end?

And, what serial number ranges are your shotguns?

[Blockhead]

Yes, police departments did sometimes remove the heatshields and bayo adaptors.

Do your shotguns have the 3 transverse grooves on the underside of the barrel at the muzzle end?

And, what serial number ranges are your shotguns?

One one I see some faint lines perpendicular to the barrel, but they're pretty faint. Both serial numbers are in the E372XXX range.

[Blockhead]

One one I see some faint lines perpendicular to the barrel, but they're pretty faint. Both serial numbers are in the E372XXX range.

oops, I meant E732XXX. And both are marked "CYL"

[Tom Doniphon]

The grooves are cut into the bottom of the barrel. They would be quite apparent.

The serial numbers of your guns are slightly higher than the known range of WWI Model 97 shotguns.

Are your guns takedown or solid frame? WWI trench guns were solid frame.

Photos would help.

[Blockhead]

The grooves are cut into the bottom of the barrel. They would be quite apparent.

The serial numbers of your guns are slightly higher than the known range of WWI Model 97 shotguns.

Are your guns takedown or solid frame? WWI trench guns were solid frame.

Photos would help.

First of all, thanks for the info.

I'm pretty sure both are solid frame. I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow.

Are the buttstocks easy to remove on these? I wanted to switch them, but I don't have clue how to do it.

[Blockhead]

Here are the pics.

[Bruce Collector]

In that serial range, and from that prior owner, I am going to say these are probably post WWII commercial trench guns. After some dopey flatfoot starts waving the gun around with a mounted bayonet, they remove the adapors or do the mod you see. Pretty common.

[Tom Doniphon]

Those guns were made in the mid 1920s.

The only commercial trench gun I can recall with a lower serial number was part of the Winchester collection at the Cody Museum and is now in the hands of a private collector.

[Blockhead]

So what is anyone's best guess--were these ever used by the military, or did they go straight to law enforcement. Maybe there is no way to know. But, if they had never been military, why would they have the trench attachment?