This excellent Winchester Model 1897 trench shotgun is the lowest serial number of the 74 documented examples known to have been in U.S. Army inventory in World War I prior to being subsequently transferred to the Virginia National Guard in 1921, then to the Richmond, Virginia Police Department in 1924 until they were purchased by Sigarms in 2004 who sold them to Interstate Arms Corp., a Sigarms law enforcement distributor, who advertised them in Shotgun News under the name Ivanhoe's Warehouse Outlet. This example, E673430, is listed by serial number as part of the 74 "Ivanhoe" trench guns on page 286 of the book "Complete Guide to United States Military Combat Shotguns" by Bruce Canfield. It also has Richmond Police Department inventory stampings on the left of the buttstock, "11/HDQTS/RPD" in three lines. It appears to have seen very little use, and likely stayed protected from the elements in backroom storage for most of its lifetime. The Winchester 1897 was one of John Browning's many contributions to American sporting and combat arms, and in both the "trench" and "riot" configurations performed fine service for military and law enforcement users, seeing action as early as 1899 in the Philippines, and earning particular fame in World War I and World War II for its potent close range firepower along with its slamfire capability. Features a six-hole handguard/bayonet adapter with "PAT.APPL.FOR" marked on the right. The barrel protrudes 1/2 inch ahead of the bayonet adapter, which is considered correct for a World War I era Winchester 1897 trench shotgun. Receiver and cylinder choke marked barrel both stamped with a circled Winchester "WP" proof at the breech. The slide bar has the model and trademark information. Grooved forearm and smooth pistol grip stock with correct first type comb and a Winchester branded checkered hard rubber buttplate. 13 7/8 inch length of pull. Reference page 50 of Bruce Canfield's book "Complete Guide to United States Military Combat Shotguns" for more information on World War I era Winchester Model 1897 trench shotguns. Includes a commercial pattern Winchester M1917 bayonet with a circled Winchester "W" logo on the blade.