A fellow carried it in (and out) of a gun show this weekend, looking for a hefty price.  I asked him to send me pics.  Serial Number 165747, Take down configuration, US ordnance stamped.

Your thoughts on this gun would be greatly appreciated.

First, I had the gun in hand for a very close inspection.  It did not have the glossy layer of oil at the time, as it appears in the pics.  Finish is deep and rich, but not quite as reflective as depicted.  Color of bluing is spot on.

Two of the most important pics are either absent or blurry, so I will accurately describe.

1.  The serial numbers were not well provided.  So, on the receiver, the serial was applied and buffed before bluing.  On the takedown portion of the barrel, the serial number clearly cuts through the bluing.  Font is exact match.  I cropped and sharpened one picture which does show the last two digits on both receiver and barrel.

2.  The blurry pic of the proof marks can be described similarly.  The proof on top of the receiver was applied and buffed before bluing.  The proof on the barrel cuts through the bluing.   The flaming bomb (WWI style with concentric circle inside bomb) also cuts through bluing.

My other observations during inspection are as follows:

– Swivel band added to the front, sling swivel added to rear.

– No evidence of ever having a bayonet lug

– Wood is unsanded and proud over receiver metal.  A47, potential rack number, on right side.  Wear, light bumps and scratches seem to be a little more prevalent on the high comb buttstock than would be expected when compared to the metal finish and condition.  But not excessively different, just a little if at all.  Rack number cuts through apparent original oil finish.  Forestock handling seems consistent with rear.

– The ordnance has the serif US, with the S seen as double struck, cutting through the blue.  Flaming bomb is again WWI style.  Stamps are vertically stacked in front of the ejection port, as configured on the m97 trench gun, and not horizontally applied under the port.

– There is no evidence of softening of sharp edges of the metal.  It was not buffed. There is edge wear and light scratches/scuffs, consistent with light to moderate handling since finish (or refinish?).

– There were a few, either pits, production inclusions or light dents which seemed to have strong bluing inside the divots.  Other dings cut through the bluing.  Initial impression was that the receiver could have been reblued (not buffed), and the barrel was original.

– Serial number is smack dab in the middle of the accepted range for known US martial marked M12 Riot Guns.

Pics were very large.  So, I’ll post what I can, and add as needed.  Thanks for any input, folks.  Is it real?  Or is it Memorex?