April 9th & 10th Premier Firearms Sale (MFIRE)
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/9/2016
673970 Barrel length is 20”, caliber is 12 bore. Offered is an extremely fine condition all original WWI 1897 12 gauge pump action trench gun. Serial number falls directly in the middle of the listed block of verified WWI trench guns. Shotgun has the solid frame receiver with the Winchester commercial grade blued finish. The right side of the frame ahead of the bolt is stamped US with no periods and the ordinance bomb. It is cylinder bored stamped on left side of barrel with the WP Winchester proof. The Winchester barrel markings are proper and partially obscured by the hand guard. Slide bore is stamped model 1897 Winchester. Has the Winchester type W hand guard bayonet adapter with six rows of ventilated holes. The bayonet lug is stamped patent applied for. Has the thin wrist high comb non fluted stock with the Winchester logo black composite butt plate. Has the lower swivel inlayed and screwed in to the bottom of the buttstock. Factory quality fit. Walnut stocks are in excellent condition with no cracks or chips but with some usual mars especially on the left side. Forearm has no cracks. Has 18 grooves round comb forend, measures 6-3/4”. The magazine tube has slide marks otherwise retains balance of factory blued finish. The exposed part of the barrel retains 95% factory blue. Hand guard is blue brown patina mix. The barrel protrudes 1/2” beyond hand guard proper for WWI. Has a single bead brass sight. Frame retains approx. 85% original blue with high edge wear with base and high edges mixing with brown patina. Bright shiny bore and perfect action. This is one of the finest WWI trench guns that we have seen in quite a while. Eagerly sought by collectors especially in this condition. Factory research: serial number applied January 9, 1918. No other information.