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Winchester 97 Trench Gun

NCgunner123
Hi, I have a Winchester 97 Trench gun in excellent condition that my father left me. In researching, I am trying to restore it. I just got the bayonet and strap. The bayonet doesn't fit because apparently (based on all the pictures I have looked at) a previous owner sawed off portions of the bayonet mount making it unusable. I know where to get exact replicas of the original, but was wondering if this would hurt the value of the gun. I see no markings on the heat shield, not sure if this makes a difference or not. Most of the bluing is still on the gun.
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • NCgunner123
    I acquired a trench gun about six months ago which is a 42 production piece. I have finally found a butt stock with "GHD" and cartouche, but the butt plate is missing. My question is simple; did the 97 trench gun take the standard butt plate or was another style used for the model issued for use during WWII?

    Below is a link to a butt plate for a 97, but I just don't know if it's "proper". Any help would be appreciated.

    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=201581819

    EDIT:
    The model 97 is not suppose to have a steel butt plate. The correct should be a hard plastic as shown in the auction listed above.
    The steel butt plate would have been used on the model 1897 shotgun.

    Thanks,

    Aaron
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  • NCgunner123
    I meant to say that I can get a replica of the heat shield/bayonet mount. Was wondering if I was better off leaving the one I have on the gun, or should I replace the bayonet mount with a reproduction that will allow me to mount the bayonet? Which will maintain the value better?
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  • toad67
    As for collector value what is done is done. By that I mean the bayo lug is cut off making it pretty much a non collector grade gun. You could possibly try and find a complete barrel but that might be rather difficult and expensive. If you are looking to hang it on the wall or show it to your buddies buy the replica if it's not to expensive. You will have a pretty original replica that will show you what it was supposed to be but not all original.

    Todd
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  • dcs shooters
    It would be better for collector value to find a original heat shield for the gun. If you plan on never selling it, get the repo.
    Watch gunbroker and ebay auctions for them, they show up at times.

    EDIT, you just missed one, sold on 20-25-2012 on the auction side.
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  • NCgunner123
    TOAD67 - why would I need an entire barrel when clearly I can replace the heat shield and bayonet mount as all schematics indicate it comes off the barrel? The only thing I have to be careful of is that it is a WWII gun, which means it has 4 rows of 19 holes on the heat shield vs. 6 rows of 28 holes on the older guns.

    DCS Shooters- thanks for the advice, I almost ordered a reproduction. I will look for an original as I would like to pass this on as an heirloom to my kids. I would want all genuine parts and would like it to retain as much value as possible.
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  • Bert H.
    First, not all WW II Trench Guns had the 4-row heat shield.

    Second, with the serial number, I can determine the exact day, month, and year it was manufactured.

    Third, you are correct in that the heat shield is readily removable from the barrel.

    I would in the short term buy the repro and install it. That stated, I would do my very best to locate an original heat shield, regardless of how much time it might take.

    When you disassemble the gun check the bottom of the barrel for the 2-digit year number.

    Can you post pictures of the gun?
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  • gary wray
    NCgunner123....what you have in your Win97 Trench shotgun is one potentially valuable piece of gunlore. The market for trench shotguns has always remained strong and the 97 is the "top of the line" for collectors of the marque....so you have something there above and beyond its sentimental value to you. Since the previous owner screwed up the shield, if it was mine I would do everything I could to find a correct shield for it as with it collectors would be interested in it in the future if you, or someone else, decided to sell it. They bring strong money in the market! Repros, while available, will not do IMO. So, spend some time (and the real deal will cost some dough) but when you are done you will have something worth quite a bit in actual value. Good luck!
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  • toad67
    quote:Originally posted by NCgunner123
    TOAD67 - why would I need an entire barrel when clearly I can replace the heat shield and bayonet mount as all schematics indicate it comes off the barrel? The only thing I have to be careful of is that it is a WWII gun, which means it has 4 rows of 19 holes on the heat shield vs. 6 rows of 28 holes on the older guns.

    DCS Shooters- thanks for the advice, I almost ordered a reproduction. I will look for an original as I would like to pass this on as an heirloom to my kids. I would want all genuine parts and would like it to retain as much value as possible.


    I apologize NC, I was thinking that I read it was cut off of the barrel itself. Sorry for the confusion.[:)]

    Todd
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  • slumlord44
    It would be interesting to see exactly what was cut off. A good machinest or sheet metal worker may be able to restore it. I am thinking an original restored part may be preferable to a reproduction or replacement part.
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  • NCgunner123
    Whoever asked for the serial #, it is E952247. From what I read, it is late WWII manufacture, between 1947 and 1948, It is in great shape, bluing is intact, and the wood gunstock is excellent. It has all the markings. I went to a gun show and met up with a dealer who has sold these and he told me it is in very good to excellent condition. Not sure it has ever been fired, if so, very few times. The only thing was the dealer did not notice the tips of the bayonet mount were cut off. I myself did not find out until I ordered a bayonet for it and found it didn't fit, when I looked at pictures online of my gun with a proper bayonet mount, realized the problem. There are no markings on the heat shield, bayonet mount, so not sure how much it would decrease in value for swapping it. The only reason I thought a repro might work is that the gun is in such good shape, the fact that it is a repro may not stand out. I have been sick, but am on the mend and will post some photos in the next few days.

    FYI, yes, I have been gradually finding out the value of this weapon and decided to turn it into a "Family heirloom", so I would like to make it more collectible, thus I bought the bayonet and strap for it. Now, all I need is (preferably) an original heat shield/bayonet mount in excellent shape.
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  • Manyguns
    I'm with Slumlord on this one. Fix the one you have. Should be relatively easy.
    Tom
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  • Bert H.
    The date of manufacture was February 2nd, 1943. The barrel is most likely dated "42". Is the current heat shield a 4-row or a 6-row? The stock should have the "GHD" cartouche on it... does it?

    You will need to start a new topic post. Lable it "97 Trench Gun cont", and please post the pictures of it.
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