Mfg date of winchester m97 riot gun

[ww2imposter]

AFAIK WWI riots are not confirmed to exist, and if they do, may not be marked.

WWII riots are one of the most rare military shotguns. I have had two Ithaca trench guns, but only one 97 riot, and it was in fair condition.

I have a 1917 dated M97 riot, although it is not martially marked WW1 era riots do exist.

[ww2imposter]

Here's one for you on gunbroker.....385022181
I think I can see an ordnance bomb on the top of the barrel also.

[scosgt]

I have a 1917 dated M97 riot, although it is not martially marked WW1 era riots do exist.

Beautiful gun. I totally agree. WWI era riots absolutely exist.
The question I was addressing was whether there were any military ones.
I have not seen anything definitive, and I have never seen one that was marked that appeared legit.

[scosgt]

Here's one for you on gunbroker.....385022181
I think I can see an ordnance bomb on the top of the barrel also.

The serial is VERY VERY pre WWI, and the bomb is from WWII. Mixmaster.

[Bruce Canfield]

The serial is VERY VERY pre WWI, and the bomb is from WWII. Mixmaster.

Martially marked WWI Model 97 riot guns are rare but do exist. The proper markings are depicted on Page 55 of my latest Combat Shotgun book. The markings are demonstrably different from the WWI martially marked Model 97 trench guns.

[Tom Doniphon]

There is, of course, the WWI martially marked 1897 riot gun pictured in Canfield's book. Personally, I've never seen one in person marked like that one.

And there were at least three contracts for riot guns (takedown types) during WWI. The Navy purchased some (I think it was about 300 guns), and there were two contracts for 12 guns each for the Signal Corps. Don't know if any of these were martially marked nor if the contacts were ever fulfilled. J. Moeller has the info on these.

[Bruce Canfield]

There is, of course, the WWI martially marked 1897 riot gun pictured in Canfield's book. Personally, I've never seen one in person marked like that one.

And there were at least three contracts for riot guns (takedown types) during WWI. The Navy purchased some (I think it was about 300 guns), and there were two contracts for 12 guns each for the Signal Corps. Don't know if any of these were martially marked nor if the contacts were ever fulfilled. J. Moeller has the info on these.

There is scant information on the subject of WWI military contract riot guns. It has not been determined if the guns from the three contracts were martially marked identically or if some were even marked at all. I've seen a few fake purported WWI vintage riot guns that had hand-stamped "flaming bomb" and "US" markings similiar to the martially marked WWI M1898 trench guns.

[scosgt]

There is scant information on the subject of WWI military contract riot guns. It has not been determined if the guns from the three contracts were martially marked identically or if some were even marked at all. I've seen a few fake purported WWI vintage riot guns that had hand-stamped "flaming bomb" and "US" markings similiar to the martially marked WWI M1898 trench guns.

And that is my problem too. I don't have your book, but in my travels over the years I never saw one that looked even remotely right. And we know there is lots of money in fakes.