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Winchester 1897 Trench Gun

MOONED
I found a Winchester at a small local shop which they have taken in as a consignment. The serial number is 936937. There is an ordinance bomb on the top of the barrel (marked 97 Winchester on the left hand-side of the barrel partially under the heat sheild), but I could not find one, or any marks on either side of the butt stock. The left side of the receiver has the US stamping towards the rear (closest to the butt). The blueing condition was in the 75% range, it has the bayonet lug as well as sling mounts on the underside of the barrel and bottom of the buttplace. I don't know enough about this specific item and hate to make a costly mistake. I can probably pick the gun up for around $750. Given the limited amount of information I ahve provided, is this an acceptable deal or a little high?

The opportunity to take pictures does not seem likely, so any advise is appreciated as I ponder this deal. The specific gun looks exactly like the example in this recent forum topic (LINK BELOW)except the heat sheild has smaller holes. Oh, I almost forgot...the barrel length is about 21". Is that a correct length?

http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=341902&SearchTerms=winchester,trench

Aaron
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • Floyd58523
    The serial number is in the correct range. At that price I would grab it. I dont think it will stay for sale very long. Call them as soon as possible. That is my 2 cents worth.
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  • wpage
    Sounds high to me. My initial response would be to do some searching and make a call to the shop regarding $$ B4 final negotiations.
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  • Bert H.
    As Floyd stated, it is in the correct serial number range for an authentic WW II Trench Gun. At just $750, it is a "steal" of a deal.
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  • JIM STARK
    The handguard / bayonet lug / sling swivel is worth about $500.00 I'd get right on it..If you don't get it ...Tell me where it is!!!
    JIM...............
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  • MOONED
    Thank you all for your input. I still have a question which was not answered in the previous responses. Where all of the butt stocks marked in some manner for this model, or did some not receive some type of stamping/marking? As mentioned previously, I was not able to find and identifying stamping. Also, in the link listed in my initial post, picture six shows the left side of the barrel in front of the receiver. In this link, there is Winchester trademark information, but on the firearm I am looking at, none exists. Is that typical or not? One more thing....what is the correct barrel length for this model?

    Thank you all for your help.
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  • gary wray
    MOONED......you do not mention a stock cartouche..within that serial # range there should be a "GHD" on the stock. WWI Win Trench shotguns had no cartouche, so you might have a restocked WWII Trench. I would go over it again carefully to find it. But even at that, there is a digit missing in the $750 amount! Like a 2 or even a 3! Grab it quick, as you have been told as trench shotguns are very collectable and valuable. Surprised the guy doesn't know what he has!
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  • MOONED
    Thanks all for the input. I'll take the gamble and grab it today. I'll open a new topic after pictures are uploaded.
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