Log In
April 15, 2005
Offline
Collector Tim said
Bert H. said rnTom,rnrnUnfortunately you have a pair of Fake Trench Guns. rnrn1. S/N 733016 – manufactured August 1920… well after WW I ended.rnrn2. S/N 805934 – manufactured November 1925… way before WW II began.rnrnWW I Trench Guns were manufactured in the 669000 – 705300 serial range.rnrnWW II Trench Guns were manufactured in the 919600 – 960000 serial range.rnrn rnrnBertrn rnHi Bert (and others). Just wondering what you consider the best source for serial number dates? The above ranges don’t seem to match the only source I found so far, which is: https://wheelergunworks.weebly.com/uploads/4/2/7/2/42723859/winchester_1897_shotgun_dates.pdfrnMany thanks. rnTimrn
The serial numbers and dates that I have mentioned were derived from the actual records at the Cody Firearms Museum records office. 98% of the information you will find on the internet is bogus (erroneous), including the website you mentioned.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
June 28, 2023
Offline
Hi all, new here so please bear with me. I’ve received from my fathers extensive collection, a Winchester Model 97 12ga 2 3/4 marked FULL and serial number 935828. It has the US stamp and a flaming bomb stamp on the receiver. Based on my quick research of the serial number only as well as reading here (thank goodness for fellow history buffs!), it appears to be a 1942 manufactured military riot shotgun. Am I correct?
The gun is in good condition, has some patina to it. Thanks in advance!
April 15, 2005
Offline
How long is the barrel? A “FULL” marked barrel does not indicate that it is a Riot Gun. Instead, it would be a standard gun.
Can you send pictures of the gun that clearly show the factory markings on the barrel?
Bert – [email protected]
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
June 28, 2023
Offline
Bert H. said
How long is the barrel? A “FULL” marked barrel does not indicate that it is a Riot Gun. Instead, it would be a standard gun.Can you send pictures of the gun that clearly show the factory markings on the barrel?
Bert – [email protected]
28 3/4 inch from tip to receiver. Just sent you pictures of the markings, serial number (E series, apparently?) and the stamp and flaming bomb. Hopefully that helps.
Hello, I just watched the “Over There” documentaries Parts 1 – 7 and you can see the Winchester 1897 with the 28 inch barrel being used. I don’t know if that was only in the beginning of WWI, until the trench gun “set up” was fielded.
Hi, I have a trench gun with the serial number E 905129. It was probably bought from the army surplus stock after WW II in India. It’s in good condition, so may not have been issued for deployment in the war.
It’s marked CYL and has a WP stamp on top of the barrel and receiver, and just a W below the receiver. Will be glad to know about when it was made. Thanks
April 15, 2005
Offline
Akshay Singh said
Hi, I have a trench gun with the serial number E 905129. It was probably bought from the army surplus stock after WW II in India. It’s in good condition, so may not have been issued for deployment in the war.It’s marked CYL and has a WP stamp on top of the barrel and receiver, and just a W below the receiver. Will be glad to know about when it was made. Thanks
The serial number identifies it as a June 1938 production Model 97, which is nearly 3-years too early for an authentic WW II Trench Gun. I suspect that someone took what was originally a standard Riot Gun and converted it to a “Trench” Gun (which would account for its good condition). In your shoes, I would inspect the bottom of the barrel and verify the 2-digit year number stamped on the barrel.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 7, 2026
Offline
I have a model 1897 Trench Gun Serial #625900 in great shape regional blue looks great no rust or pits. I had the barrel shorten to use in western SSAS matches but not to the point it’s illegal. Gun works great in the way we use them for matches do to the ability to hold the trigger pump firer the gun.
August 16, 2026
Offline
Hello,
I aqquried a model 97 Winchester receiver serial number E953659. The receiver is in the white. I have a 1942 97 that I was thinking of using as a donor for a clone as I doubt I could find original parts. The cost for a finished clone would be about $2500. Any reccomendations on a project such as this? 
April 15, 2005
Offline
Rd1953 said
Hello,
I aqquried a model 97 Winchester receiver serial number E953659. The receiver is in the white. I have a 1942 97 that I was thinking of using as a donor for a clone as I doubt I could find original parts. The cost for a finished clone would be about $2500. Any reccomendations on a project such as this?
The receiver frame you have with S/N 953659 was most likely originally a WW II Trench Gun, and it is actually not “in the white”. It still has approximately 70% of the factory bluing still on it. Per the factory records, it was manufactured in February 1943.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 16, 2026
Offline
Thank you Bert for the confirmation. Other than using it for a conversation piece I will use it for a trench gun clone. I think that would be the best use of the receiver and I can enjoy a 97 trench gun. Roger
September 20, 2026
Offline
I am looking at purchasing what is supposed to be a Winchester 1897 trench gun. The serial number is E955494. I have pictures that I will post. I would like help verifying it before I purchase it. Thanks!
September 20, 2026
Offline
April 15, 2005
Offline
Nodrog said
It appears to be an authentic 1943 production Model 97 Trench Gun.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
September 20, 2026
Offline
Thank you Bert for your help! Can you give me a ball park price range based on the pictures?
April 15, 2005
Offline
Nodrog said
Thank you Bert for your help! Can you give me a ball park price range based on the pictures?
$4,500 – $6,000
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
September 20, 2026
Offline
Bert H. said
Nodrog said
Thank you Bert for your help! Can you give me a ball park price range based on the pictures?
$4,500 – $6,000
Thank you, I am looking forward to buying it now. Any good books you could recommend would be appreciated. Have a good day!
November 26, 2014
Offline
Nodrog, does the trench gun have a plugged front bead sight on the barrel?
April 15, 2005
Offline
Nodrog said
Bert H. said
Nodrog said
Thank you Bert for your help! Can you give me a ball park price range based on the pictures?
$4,500 – $6,000
Thank you, I am looking forward to buying it now. Any good books you could recommend would be appreciated. Have a good day!
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
1 Guest(s)
