Correct Winchester US markings?

[colt thompson]

Do these US markings look correct for a 1897 Winchester?


Thanks
Brian

[Tom Doniphon]

The ordnance flaming bomb doesn't look quite right. And is that a period after the "S"?

What more can you tell us about the gun? What's the serial number?

[colt thompson]

The ordnance flaming bomb doesn't look quite right. And is that a period after the "S"?

What more can you tell us about the gun? What's the serial number?

Not much. It is at Rock Island. It's been refinished.
http://www.rockislandauction.com/vie...id/58/lid/3664

Brian

[emmagee1917]

No.
Chris

[colt thompson]

Chris,
Is it the closed end of the "S" or the flaming bomb which is the give away?
Trying to learn.
Thanks
Brian

[scosgt]

At first blush, I thought the markings had been re-stamped, because no, they are not right. They are NEVER that deep for one thing, the bomb is close but not right.
However, the serial is post WWI so for certain the markings are not real.
The bayonet adapter is proper, so there is a good chance this is a post war commercial trench gun that someone has ruined by trying to fake the markings.
After the end of WWI Winchester continued to make and sell trench guns for police departments, prisons etc. Later on they were take down guns, and they ran out of bayonets. So, the adapters, which were no longer marked with the pat dates, had an additional cut on the lug that locks to the bayonet handle to accommodate the Winchester 1895 Russian Musket bayonet, which they were shipped with.
There was also a version with a solid brass buttplate that went to a prison system, maybe Montana I can't remember. The brass buttplate is identical to the standard Winchester plastic buttplace, but it is cast from brass and quite a looker. I have seen two of them, neither for sale!

[Johnny P]

RIA's ad indicates the marking is not original.

[SPEEDGUNNER]

Bruce, this is for you!

[scosgt]

Bruce, this is for you!

YER KILLING ME!

And I think I saw that one once before!

[emmagee1917]

There a several signs , as was said above by scosgt. The U and the S should be aligned and the same hight . Also note the shadow effect around the stamps. Someone used cold blue or something to hide the freshness of the stamp , I'll bet .
Nothing beats looking at alot of real stamps over time. A general feel of what's right will come , so the poor fakes will jump out at you.
The good fakes will fool me , though . It has really put a dampner on my fun.
Chris