Very desirable early production WWII Winchester Model 1897 Trench Gun. This shotgun features a 20-inch, 12 gauge, break-down receiver; low-comb stock and cylinder choke barrel. The barrel is fitted with the distinctive, first pattern, six hole handguard and bayonet lug. Sling swivels are present on the bayonet lug and stock. The barrel and receiver have the high polish Winchester blue finish, and the stock and forearm are oil-finished walnut. The hard rubber buttplate is checkered and decorated with embossed Winchester logo. The top of the barrel has standard Winchester markings, and Winchester oval proofmarks are stamped on the top of the barrel and receiver. The top of the barrel is stamped with the Army Ordnance "Flaming Shell" proofmark just ahead of the Winchester proof. The left side of the receiver is stamped "U.S." and properly lacks the Ordnance "shell" insignia applied to later production M1897 Trench Guns. The handguard/bayonet lug has no Winchester or patent markings. The left side of the "low comb" stock is stamped with the military inspection mark "W.B." enclosed in a rectangle above a small Ordnance Corps escutcheon. Early WWII production M1897 Trench Guns with the six-hole handguard, "U.S." only marked receiver and "W.B." inspection marks are significantly scarcer than later production trench guns with the four-hole handguard, "U.S./Flaming Shell" markings on the receiver and "G.H.D." inspection stamps.

Excellent. The shotgun has 97% of the original high polish blue finish. Finish wear is primarily confined to the lower portion of the magazine tube and the slide-bar. There are some minor scratches and some very minor edge wear on the receiver. The stock and forearm are in excellent condition. Most of the original, semi-gloss oil finish remains and wear is limited to minor storage marks. There is a significant chip missing from the right side of the pistol grip (this does not noticeably detract from the overall appearance of the shotgun). The hard rubber butt plate is in very fine condition. A completely original, high condition example of the most desirable model of U.S. WWII Trench Guns.