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LOT 461
Exceptional World War I U.S. Winchester Model 1897 Trench Shotgun with Bayonet - Serial no. 680837, 12 gauge, 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1918, this World War I era Winchester Model 1897 trench shotgun that falls into the known serial number range of approximately 620000-730000. The Winchester 1897 was one of John Browning’s many contributions to American sporting and combat arms, and in both the “trench” and “riot” configurations performed fine service for military and law enforcement users, seeing action as early as 1899 in the Philippines, and earning particular fame in World War I and World War II for it’s potent close range firepower. Single bead sight on the bayonet lug, with a six-hole heat shield over the barrel, cylinder choke, and a 2 3/4 inch chamber. “U.S. (flaming bomb)” is stamped ahead of the chamber. Fitted with an 18-groove forearm and a smooth pistol grip stock with a checkered Winchester buttplate. Includes a period leather sling and Remington M1917 bayonet. Length of pull 13 1/2 inches. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% plus bright original blue finish, extensive scattered flecks of pitting visible on the receiver, and mild handling evidence. The stock has a chip at the heel, otherwise, the wood is very fine with minor scratches. The bayonet is very fine. Mechanically excellent. One would have to look a long time to find a World War I 1897 Trench Gun as fine as this example! Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 462
Outstanding World War II U.S. Army Johnson Model 1941 Semi-Automatic Rifle with Bayonet and Scabbard - Serial no. B0255, 30-06 cal., 22 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. This is an outstanding example of scarce WWII Johnson M1914 rifle. These rifles were developed in the late 1930s to compete for U.S. Government contracts against the M1 Garand rifle. After losing out to the M1 Garand they were employed early on by the USMC Raider and Parachute Battalions during the early Makin Island, and Tulagi campaigns. These rifles employed a couple of unique features one of which was a sliding barrel that helped during the unlocking of the bolt, a rotary magazine which allowed additional rounds to be loaded at any time vs. the enbloc magazine used by the M1 Garand and a barrel takedown mechanism that was favored by paratroopers which allowed the barrel to be removed and stored in a jump bag until they landed. The top of the receiver is marked “CAL 30-06 SEMI-AUTO,/JOHNSON AUTOMATICS,/MODEL OF 1941, MADE IN PROVIDENCE RI. U.S.A.”, over the serial number. Directly behind that are fov lines that contain patent information and dates. The rear of the receiver is correctly marked in an upside down triangle “Cranston Arms Co.” The front of the barrel is correctly marked on the front bearing surface “30-06” and “41” for the year of manufacture. It has the perforated front portion of the receiver that acted as a heat shield, the fully adjustable rear peep sight calibrated from 100-1000 yards with a standing blade front with guards. The stock and forend are the correct walnut style and shape and it is complete with an original Johnson Bayonet, leather scabbard and a early WWII style green canvas sling. CONDITION: Excellent plus overall with 99% or the original green parkerized finish with the correct blued rear sight. The wood is also excellent with just a couple of minor handling marks. The original bayonet is also excellent with 90% plus dark green/black style parkerized finish, the fine scabbard is dark but still pliable. Mechanically excellent. This is one of the finest conditioned Johnson Model 1941 we have ever sold! Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
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