Just wondering what opinions are on this one? I read about the filled in front sight bead but not on one this early. Thanks in advance!
The “G.H.D.” cartouche on the butt stock does not appear to be authentic, the gun has been partially reblued, the heat shield is suspicious. If you are looking for a collectable Model 97 Trench Gun, that is not the gun you want.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
The bayonet adaptor is not Winchester. It’s an adaptor for the Stevens Models 520 and 620 trench guns.
The filled in front sight hole on the barrel is usually found on late production Model 97 trench guns in the 950,xxx range. This gun is much earlier.
The serial number font styles on the receiver and barrel extension are different. Guns in this serial number range usually only have the script style font.
Tom D said
The bayonet adaptor is not Winchester. It’s an adaptor for the Stevens Models 520 and 620 trench guns.The filled in front sight hole on the barrel is usually found on late production Model 97 trench guns in the 950,xxx range. This gun is much earlier.
The serial number font styles on the receiver and barrel extension are different. Guns in this serial number range usually only have the script style font.
What is the significance of the different s/n fonts on the receiver and barrel? Is there a legitimate explation?
If you can’t convince them, confuse them
Tedk said
Tom D said
The bayonet adaptor is not Winchester. It’s an adaptor for the Stevens Models 520 and 620 trench guns.
The filled in front sight hole on the barrel is usually found on late production Model 97 trench guns in the 950,xxx range. This gun is much earlier.
The serial number font styles on the receiver and barrel extension are different. Guns in this serial number range usually only have the script style font.
What is the significance of the different s/n fonts on the receiver and barrel? Is there a legitimate explation?
The significance is that it tells us that the gun is a fake.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I have been dealing with this for years. A former US martial arms collector, I have been dealing mostly with fake cartouches. Garands, carbines, 03’s, 03-A3’s, and all types US shotguns. I guess mostly the cartouches were boned off. It ‘s very important when buying a US firearm of any type, it has its original cartouche. A deal breaker for me if it doesn’t. Yes, I am a perfectionist. A good friend once told me, “never buy a gun you have to make excuses for”. The above shotgun has many problems, and is for sure, an excuse gun. Run from this one. Big Larry
Rick, you are correct. That is why you need to study what you want to collect before you buy. Anything that is worth money is being faked or what we call parts guns, put together with mismatched parts.
Don’t buy guns that you have not picked up and looked at before you purchase. At the minimum post pictures here for the experts to evaluate.
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