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Hello,
here is what I believe to be a genuine 1897 Trench Gun.
Can you please confirm the manufacturing date?
Has anyone any idea as to the signification of the sticker on the stock?
From what I see this is a WW II trench gun made in 1943.
Does this shotgun have the military US and flaming bomb on the left side of the receiver? What about the WP and flaming bomb on top of the barrel?
To be a bit more specific, it was serialized in mid March, 1943. It could have either a “42” or a “43” date stamped barrel (please confirm if you are able to do so). The 4-row heat shield and “GHD” cartouche are both correct for that gun based on when it was manufactured.
In regards to the sticker on the butt stock, I have no idea what it is, or who put it on the gun. That stated, it will not have any effect on the value of the gun.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
In regards to the sticker on the butt stock, I have no idea what it is, or who put it on the gun. That stated, it will not have any effect of the value on the gun.
Bert
It’s the monogram of the old Civil Defense Corps.
clarence said
Bert H. said
In regards to the sticker on the butt stock, I have no idea what it is, or who put it on the gun. That stated, it will not have any effect of the value on the gun.
Bert
It’s the monogram of the old Civil Defense Corps.
Thanks! That is great information to know!!
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
freebird1968 said
Hello,here is what I believe to be a genuine 1897 Trench Gun.
Can you please confirm the manufacturing date?
Has anyone any idea as to the signification of the sticker on the stock?
Nice Trench gun. Ditch the sling and find a nice M1907 with a WW2 date. A Winchester M1917 bayonet it in order as is some genuine WW2 ammo that is not hard to find. A nice WW2 ammo pouch and a hickory cleaning rod would complete the set. BTW, it is a M97 not a M1897. It’s a keeper and worth a lot of $$$$. Big Larry
Thank you all for your answers.
It has all the US marks you mention. I’ll check the barrel for th date stamp.
Clarence, do you have any more informations as to what the Civil Defense Corps was? (Are we talking about the british post WW2 organisation or an american corp?)
Big Larry, thanks for the correction on the denomination. Finding all the period correct accessories might prove costly, as they are less abundant this side of the pond… (There is no sling on the picture, it’s just the leather support I used for the gun. I should have put a bigger picture)
Ah, with your reference, google has finally been helpfull, I have found info on the Civil Defence Corp, many thanks, I’ve been wondering for years…
freebird1968 said
Finding all the period correct accessories might prove costly, as they are less abundant this side of the pond…
Costly is right, on this side of the pond, too! An original sling, maybe $300, the Winchester bayonet, Heaven knows!
However, I’d certainly want a correct type sling, as it can be attached to the gun & doesn’t have to be stored separately like the bayonet. I’ve bought & shoot with several of these, which are better quality than the price suggests; in fact, I don’t know how they can be sold so cheaply! China, no doubt.
Many other repros on ebay–take your pick. Some dark stain on the white stitching, & a little roughing-up, greatly mitigates the offensiveness of the “newness.” The two I’ve been shooting with for several yrs on my 1903 Springfields are already looking like they “belong” there.
That sling is a repro, and yes, depending on the date of the sling, they can run several hundreds of dollars.
Brass WW2 00 Buck in the 25 rd. sealed foil box, can also cost several hundreds of dollars,
Winchester M19017 bayonets have gone through the roof. A nice one with WW1 scabbard, can run to well over $400. At least that is what I paid for mine several years ago.
The small ammo pouches dated from WW2 can run to $500. Many repros out there on these.
I bought all my accessories from a well known member of WACA. Already had a minty 1943 dated sling.
My M97 Trenchgun is # 955552 and is in unused condition.
You have a nice one, and has it been deactivated like many across the pond? Big Larry
That’s a very nice looking trench gun. I am curious about the rules and regulations for owning something like that in France.
again thanks for all the info.
This gun is not deactivated and still shoots very well 
It was imported in France 40 years ago and is now a family heirloom.
I happen to have a 1918 dated original M1907 Sling (came on a Springfield 1903 dated 11-17), but it stays off the guns to avoid breaking it…
We’ll see for a bayonet. I have one somewhere that fits the gun, but it is not a Winchester made one and has found its way into a Vietnam era scabbard 
Big Larry said
That sling is a repro, and yes, depending on the date of the sling, they can run several hundreds of dollars.Brass WW2 00 Buck in the 25 rd. sealed foil box, can also cost several hundreds of dollars,
Winchester M19017 bayonets have gone through the roof. A nice one with WW1 scabbard, can run to well over $400. At least that is what I paid for mine several years ago.
The small ammo pouches dated from WW2 can run to $500. Many repros out there on these.
I bought all my accessories from a well known member of WACA. Already had a minty 1943 dated sling.
My M97 Trenchgun is # 955552 and is in unused condition.
You have a nice one, and has it been deactivated like many across the pond? Big Larry
Larry;
Just though Id let you know I have a model 12 riot gun with the same 955552 serial number….
gunut.....
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