Winchester Model 1897 WWII Riot Gun 12 Gauge 20” Pump Shotgun 1942 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,025.00
LSB: LSB251006RS001
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
Model: 1897, Trench Gun
Serial Number: 941827
Year of Manufacture: 1942
Caliber: 12 Gauge
Action Type: Pump Action Magazine Fed Shotgun
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.” and patents. The underside of the receiver is marked with the serial number, “941827”. The left side of the receiver is marked “US” and has the US Ordnance mark. The top of the barrel is marked with the US Ordnance mark as well. The buttplate is marked with “Winchester Repeating Arms Co.”
Barrel Length: 20″ Nominal, 20 1/2” Measured
Choke: Cylinder Bore, Fixed
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver bead drilled into the barrel. The top of the receiver has a shallow groove for a sighting plane.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks have been sanded and refinished. The stocks are a smooth walnut, semi pistol grip, 18 line ribbed forend. There are scratches, scuffs and light handling marks throughout. There is some light debris that settled into the finish when it was being refinished. The buttplate has been sanded extensively near the toe. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition for a refinished stock set.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is no erosion visible in the bore. There is some light fouling. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: The shotgun retains about 80% of its refinished metal finish. There are edges and stampings that have been blurred from buffing. There are sanding marks and pitting evident under the bluing. There are new spots of rusting and bluing loss from corrosion scattered throughout. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with usable slots. The markings are blurred but legible. Overall, this shotgun rates in Fair condition for a refinish.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: None.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 1897 Trench Gun is one of the most iconic American martial shotguns of the twentieth century, closely associated with U.S. military service from World War I through World War II. By 1942, Winchester was producing Model 97 trench guns under wartime contracts to meet the demands of global conflict, supplying U.S. forces with a compact, devastatingly effective close-quarters weapon. The exposed hammer, side-ejecting action, and rugged construction made the Model 1897 uniquely suited to trench warfare, shipboard defense, and guard duty, cementing its place in U.S. military history.
This example is configured with a 20 inch cylinder-bore barrel, consistent with trench gun specifications, and retains U.S. Ordnance markings on both the receiver and barrel. The Model 1897’s slam-fire capability remains one of its defining mechanical characteristics, allowing the shotgun to fire repeatedly as the action is cycled with the trigger depressed. The simple silver bead front sight and shallow receiver groove provide a straightforward sighting plane intended for rapid target acquisition rather than precision shooting, reflecting the shotgun’s original combat role.
Condition reflects a refinished wartime shotgun that has seen post-service alteration. Approximately 80 percent of the refinished metal finish remains, with blurred edges and softened markings from buffing, along with visible sanding marks and pitting beneath the bluing. Scattered areas of active corrosion and finish loss are present. The bore remains mostly bright with no visible erosion and light fouling, rating 9 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion. The walnut stock set has been sanded and refinished, with handling marks, embedded debris in the finish, and significant sanding at the toe of the buttplate, placing it in Good condition for a refinished set. The action functions correctly and retains its original slam-fire operation. We are no longer offering layaway. Please see our high resolution photos and good luck on your bid! MF
