January 23rd 2016 Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/22/2016
Barrel length 20", 12 bore. Standard World War II Model 1897 Trench Gun, manufactured circa 1942, features: 20" cylinder choke barrel with 2-3/4" chamber, ordinance bomb stamped on top, has a ventilated heat shield with bayonet lug, has a blued finish, left side of frame is stamped "U.S." with flaming bomb, grooved walnut fore-end (18 grooves), pistol grip walnut stock G.H.D. (Guy Dewey) with Springfield wheel, Winchester black butt plate, stock is excellent with no cracks. Metal has a dull coat of enamel that was applied to inhibit rust. Retained approximately 90% of this dull military style finish. Bore is excellent. Left side of barrel is stamped "CYL" for cylinder choke. Comes with a military sling. According to the book Combat Shotguns, the serial number of this shotgun falls into the most commonly encountered range (93000-953000). The hand guard has the standard 4 rows of 19 holes. It has the early longer 1" barrel extension forward of bayonet attachment. The lowest reported WWII trench gun serial number 939,650. Serial number 986,223 was recorded 12/26/43. Waldemar Broberg served as head of the district from July 1941 to June 1942 and delivery beginning in 1942 have the "WB" stamp. Dewey served in this capacity from June 1942 to July 1945 and these guns are stamped "GHD", therefore this shotgun was manufactured after June 1942 and before December 1943. These US trench guns were extremely popular and were in use through Vietnam.