US Martially Marked WWI Winchester Model 1897 Solid Frame Trench Gun
SOLD FOR: $6,175.00
LSB#: LSB250613SH007.1
Make: Winchester
Model: 1897 Trench Gun, 97
Serial Number: E689478
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1918-1919
Gauge: 12 Ga. 2 ¾” Shells
Action Type: Pump Action Shotgun, Tube Fed, Exposed Hammer
Markings: The left shoulder of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO, NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A / PAT. NOV. 25. 90. DEC. 6. 92. JULY 21. 96. FEB. 22. 98. JUNE 14. 98. OCT. 16. 1900. DEC. 25. 06. JULY. 5. 10.” followed by “12 GA.”. The chamber is marked “CYL”. The top of the barrel is marked with a “WP” proof mark, found again on the top of the receiver. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The action bar is marked “MODEL 1897 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG. IN U.S. PAT. OFF.”. The left side of the heat shield/bayonet lug is marked “PAT. JAN.15&MAR.19.1918”. The front of the lug is marked “F”. The buttplate is marked “WINCHESTER / REPEATING / ARMS CO.”. The right side of the receiver is marked “U.S.” with an Ordnance Bomb.
Barrel Length: 20 1/4″
Choke: Fixed Cylinder Bore
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bead set on the base of the heatshield/bayonet lug. The barrel is not drilled for a bead.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a grooved slide handle, semi-pistol grip, straight comb and checkered composite buttplate. There is a sling swivel inlet to the belly and another mounted to the bayonet lug. The forend has only a few light marks. The buttstock has scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a thin hairline crack in the left side of the wrist. The LOP measures 13 ?” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some moderate wear all around with the checkering having been smoothed at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore, but there are a few minor dents which are consistent with the installation of the bayonet lug/heat shield assembly. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 30% of its metal finish. There are some minor nicks, scuffs and small scratches. Most of the balance is in normal operational wear. Most of the finish has turned a light to dark patina color but the blue on the front of the mag tube and under the heat shield is well preserved. There is infrequent minor oxidation and surface erosion, mostly on the bayonet lug assembly. The screwheads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: After observing the Great War for the first three years, it became clear to the U.S. that serious close-range firepower was needed in trench warfare. The Model 1897 Trench grade was an evolution of this idea. The pre-existing Winchester Model 1897 was modified by adding a perforated steel heat shield over the barrel which protected the hand of the user from the barrel when it became over-heated, and an adapter with bayonet lug for affixing an M1917 bayonet. They were so effective and brutal in combat that the German high command once announced they would execute any US soldier captured with one in his possession. The 1897 Trench Gun was also durable enough that it would go on to see service in the second World War all the way through to the Gulf War.
This example was produced Ca. 1919 and has correct features for a Trench Gun including its martial markings on the side of the receiver, which is found on some and not on others. This writer prefers the theory presented by Bruce Canfield in his book “Complete Guide to United States Military Combat Shotguns”, that guns which were issued were inspected and marked, while guns which were not issued did not receive the markings. The end of WWI came as a shock to nearly everyone. At the time, most of the Allied powers believed that the war would continue for at least a few more years. The German offensive Operation Michael had just been halted and the Second Battle of the Marne, the first successful Allied offensive, was just starting. No one would guess that the war would end less than 6 months later. Consequently, there were likely many Trench Guns which had been produced and/or delivered which were never issued and simply remained in the government’s inventory.
Though this one was apparently issued, it remains a high condition example of this military shotgun which is more than 100 years old. There is a thin crack in the wrist, but this was not uncommon with the original thin-wrist stocks and would later be addressed by increasing the thickness of the wrist. This is a nice military 97 that will be tons of fun to shoot at the range and will be a nice addition to your collection. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
