This is an outstanding all original, near new Winchester Model 12 Trench Gun with the all blued metal finish and the oil finish stock and pump handle. The Winchester Model 12 and Model 97 Trench shotguns were the primary U.S. combat shotguns in WWII and Korea and even into Vietnam and were used by both the Marine Corp and U.S. Army. Original WWII blued examples are extremely rare today, as almost all were rebuilt and reparkerized over time. Production/serial number for this example indicate that it was manufactured in early 1946. The shotgun has the late production, four-hole blued hand guard/bayonet lug with thick wire sling swivel and "W" stamped on the left side of the bayonet lug. A small Ordnance "Shell and Flame" insignia is stamped on the top of the barrel just ahead of the receiver. The right side of the receiver is roll-stamped with "U.S." and the "Shell and Flame" insignia below the ejection port. The left side of the stock is stamped with the Ordnance final inspection mark that consists of the initials "G.H.D." in a rectangle above a small (1/4-inch) diameter Ordnance escutcheon. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped with the New Haven address and patent dates followed by: "-WINCHESTER-/-TRADE MARK-" in two lines and "MODEL 12-12 GA-2 3/4 CHAM./CYL" in two lines. The top of the barrel and top of the receiver are stamped with the oval Winchester "WP" proofmarks. The underside of the barrel and receiver are roll-stamped with the serial number "996989". The stock is fitted with a black, checkered, hard rubber buttplate with the encircled Winchester logo in the center and a parkerized sling swivel. As noted this beautiful Winchester Trench Shotgun comes with an original Winchester marked Model 1917 blued bayonet and leather scabbard. The Model 12 Trench Guns remained in service from WWII thru the 1990-91 Gulf War with most having have been rebuilt/reparkerized several times. Consequently original WWII contract examples in this super high end condition are very rarely found in any U.S. martial collection today.

Excellent plus, as issued, with 99% of the original blued finish overall with only a hint of blue edge wear visible on the pump handle guide rod from very light cycling of the action and a few light scratches on action. The buttstock and pump; handle are both in excellent plus condition with a crisp Winchester final acceptance cartouche on the side. Mechanically excellent. This example would be nearly impossible to improve on!