Manufactured in 1942, this is a fine Winchester Model 97 Trench Gun, marked for U.S. service. While in theory the Model 97 was made obsolete by later slide action shotguns, including Winchester's own Model 12, the Model 97 was still a robust and practical close combat weapon, and the need for military shotguns after Pearl Harbor was more than enough to require many models of gun to keep up. Bead front sight on the barrel, with a 2 3/4 inch chamber, cylinder choke, sling swivel, bayonet lug and a four-hole ventilated handguard. The rear of the barrel and front of the receiver bear double struck "WP" stamps, "41" barrel date, with the "flaming grenade" military proof on the barrel and faint "U.S." on the left side of the receiver. Fitted with a ribbed forearm and a smooth pistol grip stock, with a length of pull of 13 3/4 inches.

Fine, with 70% of the factory refinished blue finish, showing a plum patina on the magazine tube, a gray patina with areas of cleaned-up pitting on the heat shield, and scattered light scratches and handling marks. The forearm is very good, with some light dings. The buttstock is fair as cleaned and refinished, with a number of light scuffs and dents, replaced buttplate, an empty "widow's peak" cutout at the rear of the comb, and evidence of a cleaned up chip at the toe. Mechanically fine.