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What’s the serial number of your new treasure? No XXX’s please. I have a minty example just like yours down to the ground off front sight. Mine is a very late # 955552. Mint, 100% examples are hard to find. Do you have any accouterments? I don’t collect US militaria any longer and just happened on to mine, cheap, so I bought it and all the goodies that go with them. Big Larry
Larry
Yours looks very nice too. I’ve seen three with this exact ground down brass bead so I don’t doubt it’s originality one bit.
Mine is 954632
I only have a decent Boyt 43 leather sling to go with it….so far.
Michael Dolfi said
LarryYours looks very nice too. I’ve seen three with this exact ground down brass bead so I don’t doubt it’s originality one bit.
Mine is 954632
I only have a decent Boyt 43 leather sling to go with it….so far.
Your Trench Gun was manufactured in March of 1943… does it have a “43” or a “42” marked barrel?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Your Trench Gun was manufactured in March of 1943… does it have a “43” or a “42” marked barrel?
Bert
I think some of these guns were subject to parts cleanup. That may explain the ground down beads on many late guns. Big Larry
The last WWII contract for Model 97 trench guns was made in late Dec. 1942. The production of guns under that contract were probably not completed until around Spring 1943.
Michael Dolfi said
What month/year did they stop producing the 97 during WW2?
Winchester suspended production of the Model 97 on April 3rd, 1944, and did not resume production until March 26th, 1946. For the majority of the Sporting firearm models, production was halted in the May – August 1942 timeframe, and resumed in late 1945.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Tom D said
The last WWII contract for Model 97 trench guns was made in late Dec. 1942. The production of guns under that contract were probably not completed until around Spring 1943.
Tom,
The last of the contract Trench Guns were serialized in August 1943. Serial numbers 959663, 959764, and 959986 are the highest serial numbered U.S. ordnance marked Trench Guns in my research survey, and the PR date for 959986 was 8/14/1943. It has a “43” date stamped barrel as well.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Looks like production lasted longer than I thought. The last two contracts I have info for were made in Dec. 1942. One was for 1,500 guns to be delivered to the Springfield Ordnance District and the second for 12 guns shipped for the Morgantown Ordnance Works in W. VA. There could have been a later contract, but I am not aware of one.
Tom,
Thus far, I have documented (surveyed) nearly (170) WW II production Trench Guns in the 911999 – 959986 serial range, and (53) of that number were serialized in 1943.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Nice. When I collected US Martial Arms, I had them all. except the M10 Remington. I did have the much rarer M37 Ithaca WW2 Trenchgun. I sold that puppy for $17,500 a few years back. All my guns were minty and brought a lot of $$$ when I sold them. I moved on to Winchester lever guns and S&W’s. I had both the M620’s. Riot and Trench. Looks like your collection is really nice too. Big Larry
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