1947 m97

[ww2imposter]

Is the flaming bomb in the attached pic correct? It certainly looks correct to me but I think it's a Springfield Arsonal stamp like the one used on ww1 SA m1911's. The ser # places this shotgun in the 1947 range. The shotgun also has a steel butt plate, is this correct?

[SPEEDGUNNER]

We need more pictures of the rest of the gun. What is the serial number? If you are using the little Winchester book to check the date is not always accurate, especially with the WWII guns. If you look behind the action bar on the bottom of the barrel right in front of the receiver you may be able to see a 2-digit date. You'll need a light.

That bomb is way too early for a post WWII shotgun.

[ww2imposter]

ser# 925364......

[Ironlip]

Early vs Late Bomb Stamps

Attached are two pictures of Model 97 barrel stamps. In the one of two guns, the one on the right is probably from the November 1941 order referenced in Canfield's book, and has just the US stamp on the receiver. The one on the left is later, with both US and a bomb on the receiver.

The single barrel in the other pic is a close up of the earlier barrel.

[ww2imposter]

Well it's as clear as mud now.

[Tom Doniphon]

It's an early WW2 shotgun. It was likely made sometime around the Spring of 1942. Early WW2 Military 97s, particularly the riot guns, have the open flame mark on top of the barrel like your's and only the "US" mark on the side of the receiver. The metal buttplate is typical of the ones the Military used as replacements. I have a WW1 1897 trench gun with the same type of metal replacement buttplate.

Can you confirm that your gun is a riot gun and not a trench gun?

[ww2imposter]

It's not mine, its for sale here at a shop. These pics were sent to me from a friend.

[Dave L]

This is an early WW2 riot which went through an arsenal at one time, due the black parked finish... which kills the collector quality to me.
Not worth the fifteen bucks he's asking.

[ww2imposter]

Thanks Dave.