U.S. Contract Winchester Model 97 trench shotgun with early pattern, six-hole handguard. This Model 97 trench gun was manufactured circa 1941-1942 and has the early production features which include: (1) WWI style, six-hole hand guard, (2) thin wire upper sling swivel, (3) first style receiver markings and (4) "W.B." Ordnance final inspection mark. World War II production Model 97 trench guns with these early features are scarce. The shotgun has the Winchester commercial blue finish on all components. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut with the Winchester commercial varnish finish. The stock has a black, checkered, hard rubber buttplate embossed with the round "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS" logo and blued sling swivel. The underside of the barrel is stamped with a "41" production date. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped with the "Model 97" legend followed by "-WINCHESTER-/TRADE MARK-" in two lines. "12 GA.", "2 3/4 CHAM./CYL." is roll-stamped in two lines behind the legend. The Model 97 patent dates are roll-stamped on the right side of the barrel. The Model 97 legend and patent dates are partially covered by the six-hole handguard. The top of the barrel is stamped with the Ordnance "Shell & Flame" inspection mark. Oval Winchester "W/P" proofmarks are stamped on the top of the barrel and receiver. The left side of the takedown style receiver is roll-stamped with a large "U.S." property mark. Early production Model 97 trench gun receivers were not stamped with the "Shell & Flame" insignia found on later production trench guns. The left side of the stock is stamped with the Ordnance finial inspection marks which consist of the initials "W.B." in a rectangle above a small Ordnance Corps escutcheon. The "W.B." final inspection stamp was replaced by "G.H.D." in 1942 and is only found on early production Model 97 trench guns. The serial number, "E/935011", is roll-stamped in two lines across the bottom of the receiver and "935011" is stamped across the bottom of the takedown collar. The Winchester Model 97 trench guns were issued to all the services during WWII but used primarily as a combat weapon by the Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater where close-range firepower was essential. Model 97 trench guns remained in service until after the Vietnam War and many were rebuilt following WWII and the Korean War. As a result, all Model 97 trench guns with the original Winchester blue finish are scarce and very desirable.

Excellent with 90% plus of the original blue finish. There is some edge wear on the muzzle and six-hole hand guard. The action bar and magazine tube show light cycling wear. The receiver has some very minor edge wear with several insignificant scratches and handling marks. The barrel and receiver markings are all extremely sharp. The forearm is in excellent condition and retains 90% plus of the varnished finish. The stock is in very good overall condition with light to moderate handling wear and retains 85% of the original finish with scattered, minor, handling marks. The Ordnance final inspection marks are sharp and remain in excellent condition. This is an outstanding example of a scarce early production Winchester Model 97 trench shotgun with six-hole handguard and other early production features.