Guns International #: 101856988

Category - Winchester Shotguns - Model 97 - Winchester Shotguns - Pump

Category
Winchester Shotguns - Model 97
Winchester Shotguns - Pump

Winchester 12 Gauge - MODEL 1897, ALL ORIGINAL TRENCH GUN, BRASS SHELLS, BAYONET, BOOK, vintage firearms inc

Description:
General Specs: Winchester, Year 1919, 12 Gauge, 7lb 14oz, LOP 14"
Serial Number: E669897

How often do we get to see a truly all original 1919 production TRENCH GUN! It has to be shouted as this is such a fine example of the famous (or infamous depending on which trench you happened to be in) Winchester Model 1897. It is missing a small piece of its toe, but even that minor damage tells a story; maybe it's still out there, somewhere, in a field...

But back to history, the Winchester Model 1897 was designed by American firearms genius John Moses Browning. The Model 1897 is an external hammer shotgun lacking a trigger disconnector. This means that the user can hold the trigger down while cycling the shotgun and once the action is returned to battery the shotgun fires allowing what is termed 'slam fire' and this is part of the folklore that surrounds the Trench gun. With its five-shot capacity, this made the gun very effective for close combat and soldiers referred to it as a "trench sweeper". This Winchester characteristic (which the Model 12 shares) allowed troops to fire the whole magazine with great speed. The Model 1897 was so effective and feared, that the German government protested but were ignored by the umpires and told to play on. Of course after some had been captured it became an unofficial firearm for them as well. The ultimate form of flattery!

This example is all original - all the rollmarks are correct and clear. This gun has avoided the usual re-building programs and does not have any arsenal re-build cartouches. It has the earlier World War One six hole hand guard and the first type of bayonet mount. Its serial number falls within the original block of production numbers beginning with the letter 'E', approximately E613000- E705000. Correct for the period is the long slender grip and even the Model 1907 sling (stamped Hoyt 1918) is legitimate - showing some authentic Verdigris, the same by-product of air on brass and copper alloys that gives the Statue of Liberty its greenish-blue hue.

Some accounts state that American soldiers who were skilled at trap shooting were armed with these guns and stationed where they could fire at enemy hand grenades in midair. Fact or fiction, turning up at the local Skeet field will certainly turn some heads, but I bet you'd be the only shooter with one!

This historical weapon comes with a whole load of goodies including- Bruce N. Canfield's 2007 book on Combat Shotguns (ISBN 1-931464-28-6), a Remington Model 1917 bayonet in leather scabbard, and a vintage box of 25 brass 12 gauge #00 buckshot shells. Brass shells were very important in the early combat years of the shotgun as the normal waxed paper shells would swell in the trenches and cause feed problems; brass cased ammunition solved the issue.  Please note that ammunition will ship separately and there will be an additional cost.

Overall this Winchester Model 1897 is one of the most desirable martial collectable ensembles available anywhere. Don't wait until the balloon goes up, act fast and win the day!

Barrel Length:  20 1/4"
Bores:  Mirror
Bore Diameter:  0.731
% Blue:  97%
Chambers:  2 3/4"
Sights:  Front bead gold
Action:  Pump
Ejectors or Extractors:  Extractor
Receiver Condition:  97%
Screws:  Lightly buggered
Trigger Type:  Single-crisp
Trigger Guard Color:  80%
Stock Type:  Pistol grip / pump
LOP:  14"
LOP To End Of Wood:  13 5/8"
Butt Treatment:  Hard rubber- Winchester

There is a 30 day mechanical warranty on this gun. Call us for full details, or to purchase #616-292-6240. If you have any questions please call or email us. Thanks! Vintage Firearms Inc

Payment Methods: Credit Card, Money Order, Certified Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer (Advertised price reflects 3% cash discount. Actual price if paid by credit card is 3% higher.)
Inspection Period / Return Policy: Three Days from the date the item was received.
Sales Tax: Collected in AR, IL, KS, MI, PA, TN
Shipping & Insurance: Ground $235.00 within the continental U.S. Additional fees for HI & AK. We ship internationally with additional fees!
Item Condition: Used
Requires FFL?: Yes

PLEASE SEE MY OTHER FINE VINTAGE FIREARMS. Just open one of my ads and click on the line that says “see all items from this seller” and a very nice list of fine sporting and collectible arms will appear.
We employ full time gunsmiths on premises and can perform alterations to suit your needs within a few weeks of purchase. Common requests are: -stock bending to suit your particular requirements -addition of any specified butt pad to increase length of pull -alteration of chokes to suit your shooting preferences -lengthening of chambers and forcing cones -darkening stock color with penetrating stains -restoring any part of the gun including rust blue, charcoal blue, bone and charcoal case color, wood restoration and checkering recuts. If you like one our guns but it needs "tweaked", let us know and we can quote you a time and price. Some enthusiasts like the guns "as found" and others want them "just so". We often list guns as found and let the particular buyer choose how they want their gun to fit or look.

SOLD

Curio/Relic: Yes
Shotgun Gauge: 12 Gauge