Winchester 1897 Trench Gun
- Thread starter bigl1911
- Start date
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max503
Member
What's that arched bracket on the front for?
OP
bigl1911
Member
The bayonet attachment - Note the bayonet under the shotgun pictured..
That “arched bracket” is a heat shield but maybe I don't understand the technical term of your question… and it could be the bayonet attachment point.
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Baltimoreed11754
Member
AJ
US Veteran
Nice gun, congrats.
OP
bigl1911
Member
Correct!! I need to read more carefully!
The extension of the heat shield is attachment bracket.
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Miami_JBT
US Veteran
I'm a fan of scatter guns with pokey things at the end.
Baltimoreed11754
Member
Yes you are! Super collection!
CptCurl
SWCA Member
Yesterday a Winchester 97 trench gun sold in the Rock Island auction for a bid of $6,500.00.
World War II U.S. Winchester Model 97 Trench Shotgun | Rock Island Auction
Added to that would be a buyer's premium of at least 15% (depending on how the bid was submitted). So that would bring the price to a minimum of $7,475.00.
These are valuable weapons for sure! Congratulations on yours.
Curly
World War II U.S. Winchester Model 97 Trench Shotgun | Rock Island Auction
Added to that would be a buyer's premium of at least 15% (depending on how the bid was submitted). So that would bring the price to a minimum of $7,475.00.
These are valuable weapons for sure! Congratulations on yours.
Curly
Baltimoreed11754
Member
The 1897 was in production until September of 1957 but I don’t know when trench guns were manufactured. Probably during the 1940s.
AJ
US Veteran
And Korea and probably early Viet Nam. Pictured is my F-I-L in Korea in about 1952 or so. Canfield has the same picture in his "Complete Guide To U.S. Military Combat Shotguns". Kind of neat is his picture is on page 155 and my Wife's birthday in in Jan. 1955.
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Baltimoreed11754
Member
What I was getting at was the ‘97 trench guns used in Korea or later were old WW1-2 guns and that they weren’t building ‘97 trenchguns in the 1950s even though Winchester was building field guns.The military wanted the more modern hammerless pumps.
max503
Member
Life would have to be pretty...interesting...if you needed a shotgun with a bayonet. 
Baltimoreed11754
Member
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
DWalt
Member
During WWI the US trench guns were very effective against the Germans, to the extent that the Germans threatened to execute any Doughboy they captured with a trench gun in his possession. Allegedly, General Pershing sent a message to the German staff to the effect if that ever happened, he would immediately issue a "Take No Prisoners" order to his troops. And that was the end of that.
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Life would have to be pretty...interesting...if you needed a shotgun with a bayonet.
World war 1 trench warfare was no doubt at least interesting especially with mustard gas. Good condition trench guns are sought after and bring a serious premium.
The M97 riot guns are very collectible also, but not as much as the trench guns. Short story, I was in a LGS in the mid 70's and an old man brought in a beautiful M97 riot gun. He wanted to sell it. I was the only other guy in the store. The dealer gave the old man 125.00 for it. The old man walked out. I said to the owner I want the gun. He said, I have to make a profit. I said fine, how much? He said 135.00. Done deal, I took it. Been in my safe since about 75-76. I think he said it belonged to a local police dept at some point in time.
Very nice pics guys. Thanks for sharing
