Winchester Trench Rig 2

[thek98sniper]

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/herbsgunshop/slideshow/Winchester%20M1897%20Trench%20WW2%20Production

[Scott Wilson]

It would be interesting to see the serial number and the flaming bomb on top of the barrel on this example.

[scosgt]

The adapter is WWI. So the gun has been messed with at some point. However, if the rest of the gun is right, you should be able to find a swap, as the WWI part is quite rare.
It also looks too good for something made in 1918. Probably re-done.
The US with no bomb is usually found with a WB marking, not GHD, but I did have one that was brand new, so that is not an absolute. You need to advise the serial number.

[thek98sniper]

S/N 934587 (matching) and has the flaming bomb over Winchester proof on top of the barrel. Has "41" on the underside of the barrel. I believe that puts it in the date range of Dec. 1941 and right about the time the HG's went over to the one with fewer holes. Maybe one of the last '97's made?

[scosgt]

It all looks good at that number, however the adapter is from WWI - it is marked, and they ran out of those at the end of WWI. The 6 rows for WWII are unmarked. So it is the wrong adapter, no mistake about that. It should probably have a 6 row, but unmarked. Like I said, ask around, you may be able to do a swap.

[Tom Doniphon]

The gun actually dates to about July or August 1942. The later heat shields with fewer holes, Ord bomb on the receiver, and GHD marked stocks don't start showing up in abundance until slightly after that time frame. And it's not one of the last 97s made. The last contracts for 97 trench guns were made in Dec. '42, and those guns probably were not delivered until the first quarter of 1943.

[scosgt]

I had one that was brand new, with a serial very close. No bomb on receiver, GHD stock, correct 6 row handguard. There is a little mix and match in the 935K range, however the adapter is not right.