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Looking at buying an 1897 Riot Gun with serial number 932470. My concern is that it is stamped with a WB cartouche. My understanding is that this cartouche is outside the expected serial range for these guns. I’ll try and post pics in this thread so that the experts on this forum can take a look and tell me if my concerns are warranted.
Thanks in advance!
Kevin,
Your “understanding” of the time period for the “WB” cartouche is in error. All of the WW II Riot & Trench Guns manufactured through May 1942 should have the “WB” cartouche. After that date, the “GHD” cartouche was used.
Now, and with that stated, the ordnance bomb stamp on your gun appears to be a fake. The correct (authentic) ordnance bomb is as shown in the attached pictures below;
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May well be too early for the ord. bomb and maybe someone added one. Not unheard of for fake markings to be applied to these shotguns. Lets see the ord. bomb on the bbl. This is Trenchgun # E 955552, 3-1943.
How much for the shotgun? Big Larry
Big Larry said
How much for the shotgun? Big Larry
Larry,
No, it is not too early for the ordnance bomb … I have surveyed dozens of Model 97 Riot & Trench Guns with the ordnance bomb on them as early as serial number 924000.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Yes, my data also shows some early 97 Military riot guns in the 924,xxx range that have both the US and ordnance bomb on the receiver. But slightly later riots only have the US mark. Early WW2 97 trench guns in the lower serial number range are mostly marked with the US only on the receiver. There are, however, some US and ordnance bomb marked trench guns in the lower serial number range too. I can only speculate that some of these early shotguns with both marks had the receivers stamped with the marks and assembled at a later date out of numerical order.
All of you all are a wealth of information. Thanks!
This shotgun is currently up for auction. I believe the starting bid is $375.
So, everything looks good except for the bomb stamp appears to be fake or added after production. With that being questionable, what price range should this gun expect to bring? Just ballpark as I know most would like to look at it personally.
Thanks again for all of the responses.
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