Winchester Model 1897 Trench Gun
I'm stumped so I thought I'd ask the experts. I've been asked 2 questions about my Trench Gun that are beyond my knowledge/expertise.
Q1: Does the gun have "import marks?" what is an import mark and what would it look like on the gun if it had one?
Q2: Has the gun undergone an "arsenal rebuild?" I'm told that some guns may have been rebuilt at the factory using various parts out of a parts bin. The thought being to get a gun into working order without regard to originality. For example stocks or hand guards being replaced. Is there any way of knowing if a gun has been through an arsenal rebuild?
Thanks for your help!
Roy
Q1: Does the gun have "import marks?" what is an import mark and what would it look like on the gun if it had one?
Q2: Has the gun undergone an "arsenal rebuild?" I'm told that some guns may have been rebuilt at the factory using various parts out of a parts bin. The thought being to get a gun into working order without regard to originality. For example stocks or hand guards being replaced. Is there any way of knowing if a gun has been through an arsenal rebuild?
Thanks for your help!
Roy
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Got a gun from my brother he gave it to me said he didnt want it? it has a model 1897...US and a bomb logo on the right side..some wp on the barrel and main frame..whats it worth?oh the serial number is E693XXX 0 -
We need to see good pic's here is how to post them http://forums.GunBroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294
If you use the Search Tab in the upper right and type "trench gun 1897" in the box about 15 threads will come up.
From the Blue Book of Gun Values 1897 Sn# range 650,000 to 695,000 Solid frame.
Also listed 97 WWII as take down Sn# 920,000 to 960,000
added Thank you for correction Bert, I'll pencil it into my book.0 -
Roy,
Your Model 1897 Trench Gun should not have import markings on it. If it was issued to the U.S. military, it will not have import marks. If it is a WW I era Trench Gun, it more than likely does not have ordnance markings either. If it was returned to the arsenal, it could have been rebuilt, and then it would have ordnance markings on it. Only a visual inspection can determine if it has been rebuilt.0 -
quote:Originally posted by charliemeyer007
From the Blue Book of Gun Values 1897 Sn# range 650,000 to 695,000 Solid frame.
Also listed 97 WWII as take down Sn# 920,000 to 960,000
The Blue Book (as usual) is not accurate.
The correct serial number range for the WW I Trench and Riot Guns is 669000 - 705000.
For WW II, it is 915000 - 966000.0 -
Due to the Gun Control Act of 1968, gun law. All commercially imported firearms have to have the importers name permanently marked on them.
The size and location of the markings have varied greatly over the years. Depending on the whims of the government bureaucraps, from the BATF. Who are supposedly responsible for administering the law.
Here is one of the latest markings from Century Arms. Which is the largest importer of surplus military arms.
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Thanks for all the feedback. I have joined www.hunt101.com and am waiting for acceptance of my application in order to post pictures. In the meantime, I have examined the gun in detail and do not see any of the arsenal stamps (A, AA, RIA or SA) so I'm thinking it was not rebuilt. I did examine the underside of the barrel after removing the heat shield and located the 3 machined grooves for the heat shield screws. It has a 6 row heat shield and the "WB" on the stock. The serial is 937xxx. The underside of the barrel near the receiver has "41" stamped on it. I read in an earlier post from '09 that the WB was on guns up to serial 927xxx and then they had the GHD from then on. This seems inconsistent. Was it a GHD gun with a WB stock or was WB on guns later than 927xxx? Thanks again for the help. I'll post pictures ASAP.
Roy0 -
My recent research has shown that the "WB" marked stocks are found as late as serial number 940905, and that there is an intermix of "WB" and "GHD" marked stocks starting at serial number 935322.
If you would like to know the exact date that your Trench Gun was manufactured, provide me with the complete serial number.
Based on your description, it should not have any import markings on it, and it does not appears to have been rebuilt.0 -
I finally figured out how to copy/paste photos from hunt101. I have additional ones if need be.
Thanks, Roy0 -
You have a perfectly factory original Trench Gun. I see nothing wrong with it. 0 -
Nice Trench Gun! Take good care of Her.[8D] 0
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