Offered here is a civilian Model 1897 that Winchester built using its supply of leftover trench gun parts originally intended to fulfill a World War I U.S. contract. There are two transverse grooves visible milled on the underside of the barrel. These grooves were meant for the screws to the ventilated handguard/bayonet adapter as used on trench guns. The presence of the handguard/bayonet distinguished the trench gun from the riot gun, which lacked such an accessory. The accepted serial number range for World War I U.S. Model 1897 trench guns as well as the near mythical U.S. riot gun is below 700000 (per Bruce Canfield, see “A Collector’s Guide to United States Combat Shotguns,” page 44). This shotgun, no. 712055, falls just outside that range and would have been built after the Winchester factory ceased production of the trench guns for the U.S. military but still maintained an overrun of parts, such as barrels, for the U.S. contract. Not wanting to waste materials, Winchester used the originally intended trench gun parts on its production of civilian guns. In “A Collector’s guide to United States Combat Shotguns,” author Bruce Canfield notes, “A Model 1897 trench gun devoid of any martial markings may occasionally be encountered. In the late 1920s and 1930s, Winchester produced a limited number of trench guns for the commercial market complete with the military type handguard/bayonet adapter. These guns are rather uncommon” (47). We therefore concluded that this is one of those rare post-World War I commercial trench guns that has since had the handguard/bayonet adapter removed. Based on Madis’ serial number range, this shotgun was manufactured in 1923. There are no U.S. martial markings. Winchester factory oval proofs are present on top of the barrel and receiver at the breech. The left side of the barrel has the two-line address/patent dates legend followed by “12 GA” and “CYL.” These markings are the correct type found on Model 1897 trench gun barrels. The three-line model/trade mark information is stamped on the slide bar. The shotgun has a solid frame and an 18-groove forearm. The plain pistol grip stock has a black plastic Winchester buttplate, a sling swivel and a thin wrist, all features common to a Model 1897 trench gun that provides additional evidence to indicate this Model 1897 is one of “a limited number of trench guns” Winchester released to the commercial market. In today's collector's market, the trench gun is a highly sought after variation of the Model 1897.

Very fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 80% plus original blue finish with thinning to brown and cycling wear on the balance. The receiver retains 85% original blue finish with smooth brown patina on the balance. The forearm has a hairline stress crack on the left side, and is otherwise very fine with a small surface chip and some minor handling marks. The stock is excellent with some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.