US marked 1897 long barrel ?

[dogfoot]

Another site newbie 1st post 1897 question.
I've not been able to find much information on the 1897 WWII era long barrel aerial trainers.
Does anyone have an idea how many were made or how rare they are?

thanks --- Kent

[scosgt]

I had one with papers that I sold years ago. Fairly rare, not that wanted by collectors

[dogfoot]

Thanks for the reply.
I would think the trainer would be desirable to have a "complete" '97 collection.
Kent

[dogfoot]

Link to pix
https://imgur.com/a/5KxrR

[dogfoot]

It's in really nice shape, lots of bluing intact.
Dog

[scosgt]

That is NOT an "aerial trainer". It is a rebarreled trench gun.
Any long barrel M 97's pre-date the point where the inspector marks were put on the stock and the bomb was on the receiver.
I don't think I have ever seen a riot gun with the bomb on the receiver. That did not start until around March 1942 and at that point ALL the guns were trench guns. The cartouche on the stock looks like it is GHD. Again, that would be right for a later trench gun, wrong even for a riot gun.
The actual documented long barrel M97s are way earlier - closer to 1939.

[JJM]

If it's a trench gun where's the rear sling swivel I couldn't see one or even the inlay for one. No.1 look and see if the serial numbers match on the receiver and barrel extension No.2 look to see if there's an ordnance bomb on the top of the barrel No.3 check the barrel date on the bottom of the barrel this tell you if it's a long barrel 97 or someone put a long barrel on it hope this helps you out

[dogfoot]

More pix.
https://i.imgur.com/TgUTxF4.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rehcPSl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PtlLhKw.jpg

Numbers match E 9276XX
Kent

[dogfoot]

Forgot top barrel/ receiver:

https://i.imgur.com/iNzINAB.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8xkdd0O.jpg

[scosgt]

The barrel does not have a bomb. Not GI
The serial is very revealing. It is most likely an original riot gun. The WB is seen on the riot guns. The barrel appears to have a date of "48" if I am reading it right.
So it would be easily restored to riot gun, and a nice one, if you can find a barrel.
I must admit I have never seen a riot with the bomb on the receiver, mostly you would see that with a GHD cartouche. But as always anything is possible.
However I am certain based on what I see, serial range, lack of bomb of the barrel, apparent "48" date that it is a rebarreled riot gun.

[dogfoot]

The serial numbers do match on the long 97 barrel/receive.

I also have a riot 97 with WB (boxed) serial E9234XX.
97 Riot:
https://i.imgur.com/fgRRdE9.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xdTsork.jpg

Kent

[scosgt]

Nice!