Nicest WWI trench you will ever see

[1/501]

It's over $3k.

[keith smart]

http://www.rockislandauction.com/vie...id/53/lid/3202

scosgt: The narrative states
"Some experts believe that the U.S. markings were applied to Trench Guns issued to the Post Office and Federal agencies"

Do you agree with this statement?

I just picked up a WWI Trench, that is in SRS as issued to a federal prison in 1939. It has the handstamp US and bomb on the right side of the receiver.
Thanks,
Keith

[James B.]

Although the Ivanhoe story is cool and is in fact proven military provenance, the individual collector gets to determine what added value (if any) that story brings. There was an Ivanhoe at the last Wanenmacher's show a few weeks back. Better than average finish wear, a few scratches here and there. Also had rack/unit markings on the stock, can't remember if hand guard was Pat. Applied For or dated. Price was $8500 if I remember correctly, with bayonet. Not worth that by far in my book. It was still there when I left.
I lean toward US marked M1897s being Military issued guns rather than guns issued to Post Office.

[scosgt]

scosgt: The narrative states
"Some experts believe that the U.S. markings were applied to Trench Guns issued to the Post Office and Federal agencies"

Do you agree with this statement?

I just picked up a WWI Trench, that is in SRS as issued to a federal prison in 1939. It has the handstamp US and bomb on the right side of the receiver.
Thanks,
Keith

No one knows. And no one is left alive to solve the mystery.

[Tom Doniphon]

Why would they stamp an Ordnance Bomb mark on a gun for the Post Office or Federal prison?

If you look at the WW1 1897 trench guns with the hand stamped US/Ord Bomb marks, many, if not most, are earlier made guns (i.e., in the 670,xxx serial number range). Most of the later serialized guns do not have the hand stamped marks. In fact, some of the later made guns were not even produced until after the War ended. Maybe these earlier made guns were actually issued and therefore were marked with the US/Ord bomb while the later made guns did not get issued before the War's end. We probably will never know the exact answer.

[JJM]

If you look at the other Winchester's from that time period they all have the same u.s. and bomb the winder lo wall muskets the 1903's .22 wrf that went to the Air Service and the 94's and the 1890's slide actions so the marked Winchester's must have gone through the same place to be stamped

[SPEEDGUNNER]

It was never a riot gun. It is a totally correct and mint WWI trench. Learn from this grasshopper.

No one ever said it was a riot, I was just stating the fact that in the SRS this particular serial number is bracketed by a large number of 97R's. There are also a couple of 97 with no R suffix in the mix as well, so I am certain it is a real trench.

[scosgt]

No one ever said it was a riot, I was just stating the fact that in the SRS this particular serial number is bracketed by a large number of 97R's. There are also a couple of 97 with no R suffix in the mix as well, so I am certain it is a real trench.

Again, there are almost no known "riot" guns from WWI. The order was all for trench guns, although that was not the official designation. It is in the trench range, it is for sure an original trench.

[mtrpdw]

This shotgun just sold for $7,001.00!!

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=551851248

[scosgt]

Wasn't that my exact prediction???

[mtrpdw]

Yes, you were right on! It was a very nice '97.

[joem]

What, no bayonet for it?

[Big Larry]

You guys have it all wrong. At one time I owned the nicest WW1 Trenchgun in existence. It was dead mint and US marked. Came out of Felix Bedlands collection. I auctioned it for $13,000. Big Larry

[scosgt]

You guys have it all wrong. At one time I owned the nicest WW1 Trenchgun in existence. It was dead mint and US marked. Came out of Felix Bedlands collection. I auctioned it for $13,000. Big Larry

But we never saw that one so I had it right!

[jim-d]

A quick question for the experts....Should there be a "pat appl for" marking above the sling swivel on the bayonet attachment ?