M1897 Trench question

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  • Shooter88
    Junior Member
    • Dec 2016
    • 5

    #1

    M1897 Trench question

    Hello all. First post here. Anyway, I have a Winchester 97 built in 1918 that appears to be a legitimate Trench gun. After reading Canfield's book, I believe it to be a WW2 rebuild as it exhibits the following characteristics:

    -parkerized
    -WW2 style stock
    -metal checkered buttplate
    -four row ventilated heat shield ("W" stamp on left side)

    Other traits it has

    -serial number is in correct range of a WW1 trench
    -barrel is exactly 20" measured from the bolt face, and is marked "CYL"
    -hand stamped flaming bomb and "US" on right side of receiver just forward of the ejection port
    -has the "WP" proof stamped on top of receiver and barrel
    -heat shield fits snug on barrel without shims or sleeve.
    -barrel has three grooves in the bottom.

    One thing I am not sure of is that there is a hole about a 1/4" from the end of the muzzle that has been filled in with a black substance. The hole itself is not threaded. Right now I'm thinking Bubba, but wanted to check with you guys first. Thank you.
    Attached Files
  • p246
    Senior Member
    • Mar 2013
    • 2216

    #2
    One of the experts will be along but I think Bubba did get ahold of it sometime in the past.

    Comment

    • Shooter88
      Junior Member
      • Dec 2016
      • 5

      #3
      Originally posted by p246
      One of the experts will be along but I think Bubba did get ahold of it sometime in the past.
      Thank you. Here are some pics of the whlole gun. It also has a peculiar flaming bomb stamp above the ejection port which I think is also Bubbas doing.
      Attached Files

      Comment

      • Shooter88
        Junior Member
        • Dec 2016
        • 5

        #4
        More pictures
        Attached Files

        Comment

        • Tom Doniphon
          Senior Member
          • Aug 2009
          • 526

          #5
          The WW1 trench barrels were not drilled for a sight bead. So someone has definitely messed with the barrel.

          If it were arsenal rebuilt by the Military I would expect to find an arsenal mark on the stock or receiver and a P proof mark too.

          Comment

          • hyrax222
            Member
            • Jul 2010
            • 84

            #6
            Stamping ahead of ejection port, right side looks correct. Butt stock of a later type.

            Comment

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