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A local gun store just put a Winchester 1897 up for sale. I don't know anything about these. A short description from memory. 20 inch barrel, no heat shield. At the end of the barrel underneath there were 2 marks looking like some kind of clamp was on the end of the barrel. They want $325. It is in fair condition. What to look for on these things? Are trech guns marked M97 or marked to indicate it was a trench gun and not a riot? From a quick look over there were no marking indicating it belong to the military.
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You have to post photos. There is not way to determine anything from your description. -
Sorry, I am at work typing quickly and from memory. I will see if I can get some pictures later today. Serial number is E 674816. It has cyl on 20" barrel. Bead at end of barrel. I don't know enough to determine if the barrel has been cut to 20". It has a plastic buttplate.Comment
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The serial falls within the WWI trench range. More than that no one can tell you without pictures.Comment
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Should have three cuts in the end of barrel..probably had a poly choke on it at one time and removed.Comment
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Hummmmmm , interesting . Not up on WW1 guns , so I'll leave that to others . It is ( or was ) a trench barrel at one time . Either the barrel was cut taking off one of the handguard notches or it has an extended tube mag I'm not familiar with , using the third notch to hold it on.
ChrisComment
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It's a World War I trench gun that the bayonet adapter has been cut down and lug ground off. Stock is not original.Last edited by trenchcrazy; 10-02-2014, 09:05.Comment
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What would be a good price? Is there any other way to make sure it is a trench gun? I don't know squat about these things, more of a 1903 and Garand guy.
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Last edited by lemmonhead; 10-02-2014, 09:25.Comment
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Wrong stock. Missing adapter. It is an original trench, but at this point it is a project gun. Most collectors would not be real interested.Comment
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It would bring a shooter's price , say $250 to $300 . Original handguards and stocks are very rare on the loose , but you never know .
I was able to pick up a 520-30 , pretty nice , for $150 . Handguard missing but they belived barrel was cut ( no bead ) and stock cut and had a pad on it . Well , the barrel was fine and the stock had a pad , but was not cut . Found a guy with a box of buttplates and found a perfect match . $10 . I then lucked out on a proper , matching finished handguard for $300 + $15 shipping. So , I'm in it $475 , though it took 5-10 years to do.
ChrisComment
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325 is not a bad price.Comment
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How hard is it to find parts to return this back to correct configuration? I saw Numrich has a repo heat shield. What about the stock, buttplate and bayonette lug?
The gun shop doesn't think or know it is a trench gun.Comment
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