M1897 Trench question
Hello all. First post here. Anyway, I have a Winchester 97 built in 1918 that appears to be a legitimate Trench gun. After reading Canfield's book, I believe it to be a WW2 rebuild as it exhibits the following characteristics:
-parkerized
-WW2 style stock
-metal checkered buttplate
-four row ventilated heat shield ("W" stamp on left side)
Other traits it has
-serial number is in correct range of a WW1 trench
-barrel is exactly 20" measured from the bolt face, and is marked "CYL"
-hand stamped flaming bomb and "US" on right side of receiver just forward of the ejection port
-has the "WP" proof stamped on top of receiver and barrel
-heat shield fits snug on barrel without shims or sleeve.
-barrel has three grooves in the bottom.
One thing I am not sure of is that there is a hole about a 1/4" from the end of the muzzle that has been filled in with a black substance. The hole itself is not threaded. Right now I'm thinking Bubba, but wanted to check with you guys first. Thank you.
Reply With Quote