Winchester 1897 97 M97 Trench-style Takedown 12 GA Pump Shotgun, 1905 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2,250.00

LSB#: WY240810MZ009

Make: Winchester

Model: Custom Built 1897 Trench Gun, Takedown

Serial Number: 240259

Year of Manufacture: 1905

Gauge: 12 Ga. 2 3/4? Shells

Action Type: Pump Action Takedown Shotgun, Tube Fed, Exposed Hammer

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.” with patent dates, “12”, and “CYL” (choke marking is not genuine). The left side of the receiver is marked “U.S.” (not genuine). The bottom of the receiver is marked “C / 240259”, the bottom of the barrel extension has “240259”. The left side of the buttstock has a “G.H.D.” in box cartouche over an Ordnance wheel (not genuine).

Barrel Length: The barrel has been cut to 21”.

Choke: Fixed Cylinder Bore

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass bead set on the top-front of the bayonet lug/heat shield assembly.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with grooved slide handle, after-market semi-pistol grip, straight comb and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. A sling plate has been inlaid to the belly of the stock with another sling swivel mounted to the bayonet lug. There is a crack at the left-front of the slide handle. There is a thin crack behind the trigger guard that extends back and up, then jags forward and up into the right of the wrist. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear and a little discoloration in its well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition as refinished and/or not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is light gray. There is scattered minor erosion and some spots of minor pitting in the bore. There are slight lumps visible at the location of the bayonet lug mounting screws. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 90% of its current metal finish. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are tool marks at some screw heads. There are some patches of minor discoloration from oxidation, mostly in areas of operational wear on the magazine tube. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition as refinished and customized.

Mechanics: The action functions properly. This shotgun will slam-fire as designed. 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: Included is a leather sling and a 1917 Remington M1917 bayonet in a post-WWII Beckwith/Arden scabbard.

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. This shotgun was not originally a trench gun but was put into this configuration and had military style markings applied by an enthusiast. It was built on a takedown-frame receiver and given a parkerized finish, bayonet/heatshield assembly, and equipped with an M1917 bayonet. This is a nice military-style 97 that will be tons of fun to shoot at the range, not to mention that the work is fairly well done and the gun looks great! Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud