Very Rare Model 1897 Trench Gun

[Petroleum 1]

As the add says this is a very rare commercial made Model '97 trench gun made in the early 30's.

 

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/winchester-shotguns-model-97/winchester-model-1897-trench-shotgun-in-very-rare-civilian-model.cfm?gun_id=101648367

 

 

[jim c 351]

Should the handguard have 4 rows or 6 rows??

I'll have to look it up later.

Jim C

[Petroleum 1]

Jim i would say it would be a 6 row shield surplus from. WW1. The add says it has the patent date markings too. I went to page 70 in Bruces book and that same gun is noted in the in between the wars section. Edited May 28, 2021 by Petroleum 1

[Bruce Canfield]

It appears to have all the attributes a real gun. They don't come on the market very often. The four row handguard/bayonet adapter dates from mid-WWII so the six row type is correct.

[Tom D]

There's a bunch of commercial 97 trench guns in the serial number range of the subject gun (i.e., 882,xxx). Many were sent to Oregon for prison use and were sold off in the early 1990s.

[Petroleum 1]

Thx Bruce for your comments it looks legit. Very interesting history on these commercial trench guns i didnt think i would ever see one for sale.