Manufactured in 1918, this is a scarce and very fine 1897 Winchester Trench Gun. An evolution of the riot shotgun, the trench gun is chiefly associated with combat on the Western Front of World War One, where they were a potent but controversial tool for trench raiding and night fighting. In a close-up fight, a slam-fired 1897 could blanket an area with flying lead, a rare asset in a war where the first submachine guns were just being introduced and most machine guns were too massive for a single operator to swing around unsupported in a dynamic fight. A single bead sight is installed on the bayonet lug, with a 6-hole ventilated heat shield, cylinder marked choke, 2 3/4 inch chamber and standard markings. No U.S. military markings are present. Fitted with a ribbed forearm and a smooth pistol grip stock, with a checkered Winchester buttplate, and a 13 3/4 inch length of pull. The included bayonet (unmarked other than an "X") is 21 3/4 inches overall, with a 17 inch blade and ribbed wood grips.

Very fine, with 75% plus bright original blue finish, showing areas of brown patina, bright edge and cycling wear, and mild scratches and handling marks. The stock is fine, with some dents, scratches and dark spots. There is a horizontal hairline crack visible in the otherwise fine forend. The bayonet is very fine, with some mild handling marks. Mechanically excellent.