**Possible WWII-era Winchester U.S. Marked Model 1897 Riot Gun

World War II

12 Gauge. 20" barrel length. SN: E936426. 2.75" chamber length. Cylinder bore. Blued metal refinish overall set in oil finished walnut stock with fluted comb and corncob forend and mounting four row vented heat shield/bayonet lug. Slide-action repeating shotgun fed by a tube magazine and mounting nickel front bead sight. Standard markings include MODEL 97-WINCHESTER-12 GA./-TRADE MARK- followed by 2 3/4 CHAM./CYL. Standard two-line address and patent mark to the right barrel with both the barrel and receiver struck with Winchester's monogram proof marking. Top of the barrel struck with the later pattern {Ordnance Bomb} beside the proof mark, while the left receiver is struck U.S. {Ordnance Bomb}. Bayonet lug is unmarked, which is correct for World War II vintage Model 97 shotguns. Falls within the known serial number range for World War II Model 97 trench guns. Government documents record serial numbers ranging from 921,300 to 986,300, but Bruce Canfield, in "Complete Guide to U.S. Military Combat Shotguns", notes that most are encountered in the range of 930,000 to 953,000. Item. Item mounts a reproduction Pattern 1907 sling. Shotgun built on takedown frame, typical of World War II trench guns. Canfield notes that the World War II 97s left the factory with varnished stocks, and inspector cartouches. The absence of such markings suggests that the stock must be a replacement. Additionally, the buttplates of World War II Model 97 shotguns were plastic, indicating the buttplate on this is at best a replacement.

From the Collection of Vern Gregg

This lot is located in Cincinnati.