Make: Winchester

Model: 97, Trench Gun

Serial Number: E932002

Year of Manufacture: 1942-1945, 42 barrel date.

Caliber: 12 Gauge

Action Type: Takedown Tubular Magazine Fed Pump Action Shotgun

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

Choke: Cylinder Bore, Fixed

Sights / Optics: There is a metal bead mounted to the bayonet lug assembly. The top-front of the receiver has a groove serving as a sighting plane.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a grooved slide handle, semi-pistol grip, straight comb, checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate and a sling plate in the belly, there is a sling swivel mounted to the bayonet lug assembly. There is a brass plate in the belly marked "12 GA / 24 / EMERGENCY". The left of the stock has boxed "G.H.D." and Ordnance wheel cartouche. The buttstock has dark streaks which are likely from cleaning solvent or oil. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable in the buttstock. There is a thin crack at the rear of the trigger guard. The LOP measures 13 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear, most notable at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is some scattered faint erosion in the bore. There is a small bump visible at the rear mounting screw for the bayonet adapter. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7+/10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 60% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is strong finish on the barrel where protected by the heat shield, going to a light patina at a crisp line where the heat shield ends. There is a spot of erosion on the left of the receiver. The magazine tube shows operational wear, mostly gone to a light patina. There are some scattered nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. Much of the W-marked four-row heat shield/bayonet adapter has worn to white or gone to a light patina. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standard.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes with a notarized letter from the previous owner indicating it was acquired in a firearms trade deal between San Francisco Gun Exchange and San Quentin Prison.

Our Assessment: After observing the Great War for the first 3 years, it became that America needed serious close-range firepower for trench warfare. The Model 1897 Trench gun was modified by adding a perforated steel heat shield over the barrel which protected the hand of the user from the barrel when it became over-heated, and an adapter with bayonet lug for affixing an M1917 bayonet. They were so effective in combat that the German high command tried unsuccessfully to see their use banned. The 1897 Trench Gun would go on to see service in the second World War all the way through to the Gulf War.

This trench gun has proper markings, configuration and is in the correct serial range for a genuine WWII Trench Gun. It also bears a brass plate in the belly attributed to its time at San Quentin Prison. The included letter state that a number of guns were traded through the local San Francisco Gun Exchange when the prison modernized their arms in the 1960s, each with a similar brass plate in their stock. The gun shows wear consistent with service, but is in good mechanical condition and retains its original metal finish. This is a nice military 97 that saw later service in corrections and will be a nice addition to your collection. Please see our photos and good luck!