April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
According to the book "The Complete Guide to United States Military Combat Shotguns" by Bruce Canfield, the military World War I serial range for trench guns runs from E613000 to E705000, of which this example falls directly in the middle. The finish is a Winchester commercial grade blue. With solid frame, barrel marked "CYL", intertwined "PW" on top of barrel and frame. The slide bar is marked "MODEL 1897 WINCHESTER TRADEMARK REG IN US PAT OFF". Has six rows of ventilating holes in hand guard that is marked "PATENT APPLIED FOR" on right side, which was used early to mid-production. Barrel protrudes beyond hand guard approximately 1/2". Walnut stock has thin wrist, high comb, not fluted or checkered walnut. Buttplate is the Winchester monogram black composite. There is a sling swivel on bottom of butt and another attached to bayonet lug. There are no visible martial markings. According to Canfield, most of the Model 1897 trench guns manufactured under World War I US Government contracts were not stamped with martial markings. This was done late in production. He even comments that martial markings were applied sometime after World War I, and even then only 20% of these weapons were martially marked. Factory research shows serial number applied November 14th, 1917; no other information available. CONDITION: Gun is near new inside and out. While there are a few handling marks and a few minor age freckles, the gun appears virtually unused. Comes with a 1918 dated sling and correct 1917 dated Winchester bayonet. Bayonet has two rivet walnut handles and is stamped "US" with Ordnance bomb and eagle head proof. Arguably one of the finest known World War I trench guns extant. Given the unissued condition of this weapon, it is quite possible it was part of the cache of 74 World War I prosecution Model 1897 trench guns that came to light in 2004, but this serial number is not listed. There are two shotguns No. 671175 and No. 671976 reissued in 1934 to the Shanghai Volunteer Corps. The Richmond Virginia Police Department received these trench guns in 1924 from the Virginia National Guard. They retained the guns for the next 80 years in essentially the same configuration of which they had left the factory. Unquestionably made under military contract, they were never issued to Army units during the war, hence the lack of martial markings. There were also several World War I trench guns without martial marks released from the Aniston Arsenal, several with documentation confirming issuance to specific Army units, proving trench guns were reissued after the war as there were no commercial production Model 1897 trench guns made by Winchester during World War I. All World War I trench guns were made under government contract.
Accessories
Bayonet & Scabbard
Paperwork
Factory Research