Make: Winchester Repeating Arms Co.

Model: 1897, Trench Gun

Serial Number: 954635

Year of Manufacture: 1943

Caliber: 12 Gauge

Action Type: Pump Action Magazine Fed Shotgun

Barrel Length: 20" Nominal, 20 3/4" Measured

Choke: Cylinder Bore, Fixed

Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead mounted to the bayonet lug assembly, the barrel is not drilled for a bead. The top of the receiver has a shallow groove for a sighting plane.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with grooved slide handle, semi-pistol grip, straight comb and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The left of the stock has a boxed "GHD" and crossed cannon Ordnance cartouches, each side has been stamped "RJM". There is a sling plate mounted in the belly (the forward swivel is mounted to the bayonet lug assembly). The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a loss at the toe which is fairly shallow, extending to just behind the sling plate. The LOP measures 13 7/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate shows moderate wear, mostly at the heel and toe, with a matching loss at the toe. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is infrequent minor erosion and a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 8+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: The shotgun retains about 70% of its original metal finish. There are two strips of surface loss on the underside of the barrel from rubbing on the forend, thinning at the front of the barrel, and wear at the rear of the barrel with a plum colored patina forming over the metal. The barrel also shows a few light handling marks with a small scrape mark through the finish on the right side near the muzzle. The magazine tube shows finish wear and thinning at the rear where it rubs on the slide, and a small spot of wear at its front underside from rubbing on the sling swivel. The receiver shows finish wear on its edges with thinning on its barrel extension, its sides at the front, its underside and trigger guard. There are light handling marks in the receiver with a small ding on its lower left side and another on its right side. The bayonet adapter shows thinning and the four-row heat shield shows finish loss on its edges with multiple light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots.The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This shotgun will slam-fire as designed. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shogun comes from the Rick Hacker collection and includes a personal note from Mr. Hacker as well as a copy of a 1950 newspaper article with an account of the previous owner. The installed leather sling is also included.

Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 97 Trench Gun made for the U.S. Military in 1943 during WWII. It has the correct serial number, proof marks, handguard and stock cartouches for a trench gun made after May of 1942. All of the Trench Guns are highly prized by collectors, but it is rare that one has some known history.

This shotgun was previously sold at auction in 2016 and entered the collection of noted gun writer, NRA Field Editor and winner of the John T. Amber Literary Award, Rick Hacker. Mr. Hacker was able to contact the original consignor and through research with the family discovered that the gun was owned by Robert J. MacGregor, a U.S. Marine and machine gunner who carried the shotgun in the Pacific Theater. Sgt. MacGregor apparently continued to carry the shotgun during his service with the Los Angeles Police Department, which is mostly likely when he stamped the stock with his initials to differentiate it from a Department-owned weapon. Mr. Hacker was even able to find a January 12, 1950 news article detailing Sgt. MacGregor's injuries sustained during a motorcycle pursuit.

In addition to this wonderful research, Mr. Hacker has featured this shotgun in two American Rifleman and one Gun Digest articles. A letter from Mr. Hacker with the results of his research is included as well as a printout of the news article. In all, this is one of the most interesting Trench Guns you could add to your collection, so don't miss out. Please see our pictures and good luck!