Lot 2057

SCARCE! U.S. MARTIAL TERRITORY OF HAWAII WINCHESTER MODEL 1897 SOLID FRAME TRENCH GUN WITH M1917 BAYONET

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SCARCE! U.S. MARTIAL TERRITORY OF HAWAII WINCHESTER MODEL 1897 SOLID FRAME TRENCH GUN WITH M1917 BAYONET

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Current Bid: $800

(22 Bids)


Description:

Scarce! U.S. Martial Territory of Hawaii Winchester Model 1897 Solid Frame Trench Gun with M1917 Bayonet. This is an authentic U.S. martial arm that was lucky enough to have been in the Ordnance pipeline to the AEF when the war ended. It was sold or given to the Territory of Hawaii by the federal government and was part of the armament of the Honolulu Police Department for many years, until surplused out. Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONNECTICUT U.S.A. / PAT. NOV. 25. 90. DEC. 6 92. JULY 21. 96. FEB. 28. 98. OCT. 16. 1900. DEC. 25. 06. JULY 5. 10.”, “12 GA” and “CYL”. The action bar is marked “MODEL 1897 / -WINCHESTER- / TRADE MARK REG. IN U.S. PAT. OFF.”. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked “E / 734750”. The stock behind the receiver on the left and right side is marked "TH" and is also marked on the bottom of the stock behind the sling mount. The "TH" indicate its Territory of Hawaii ownership. Sights: This shotgun is mounted with a silver colored bead on the bayonet lug assembly. Stock: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a forend which has 18 grooves, fluted low comb, semi-pistol grip, checkered black hard rubber Winchester Repeating Arms Co. buttplate and sling swivels mounted to a plate in the belly and to the bayonet lug. The stock design and sling plate in the belly are consistent with WWII issue trench guns. Baypnet Markings: the blade ricasso with date "1917" over the "REMINGTON" in a circle manufacturer's mark. The reverse ricasso is marked with the ordnance "Flaming Bomb" over U.S., next to an Eagle / 26 proof mark. The scabbard is marked "GF" within an oval on both metal pieces. The Winchester 1897 was designed by the famed John M. Browning and quickly became one of the most popular shotguns in the world, serving the United states military in both World Wars and popular with law enforcement agencies across the country. It should come as no surprise then, that it was also popular on the civilian market with many field guns produced. This example is a solid frame model trench gun. The U.S. Government also took an interest in the innovative firearm. During WWI a militarized variant of the Model 1897 was accepted for service, known as the “Trench grade” variant, it had an attachment fixed to the barrel which features a bayonet lug and heatshield. There was also a “riot grade” version of the Winchester m/1912 and m/1897 shotguns which lacked the bayonet lug and heat shield attachment, that was adopted for use in WWI. The m/1897 trench guns were put to deadly use during WWI, their effectiveness prompted the German High Command to protest the use of shotguns in combat, the Germans claimed it was a violation of the 1907 Hague Convention on Land Warfare. The protest was likely prompted by the weapons effectiveness, rather than any actual moral scruples and was disregarded by the U.S. Government (this was the same German High Command who used poison gas in battle after all). Both the “riot” and “trench” grade shotguns continued to see use during the Interwar period and when WWII broke out the U.S. Government once again called upon Winchester to mass produce both riot and trench variations of not just the m/1897 but also the m/1912 for military service. They were used extensively in the Pacific Theater against the Japanese where hand to hand combat was all too common and to a lesser extent in Europe. Although its age was starting to show after WWII, the Models 1912 and 1897 would continue to see combat in both Korea and Vietnam. Both shotguns were expertly made and served the needs of American servicemen for nearly half a century. This particular specimen is a trench Model 1897 which has seen a rather gentle life and retains a great amount of its original finish. The WWI serial numbers go to E705000 according to Canfield, so this is likely one of the last WWI produced examples. The barrel is fitted with a six hole heatshield with a “PAT. APPL. FOR” bayonet lug. There are no martial markings on this one, another feature of the WWI vintage guns. There has been no end of speculation among collectors as to the reason for unmarked trench guns, but it appears that there were many which were delivered too late to actually make it to the front lines. The end of WWI came as a shock to nearly everyone. At the time, most of the Allied powers believed that the war would continue for at least a few more years. The German offensive Operation Michael had just been halted and the Second Battle of the Marne, the first successful Allied offensive, was just starting. No one would guess that the war would end less than 6 months later. Consequently, there were likely many Trench Guns which had been produced and/or delivered which were never issued and simply remained in the government’s inventory. The Model 1897 “Trench” variant is a very desirable collector piece, so this example would make an outstanding addition to a collection. Serial Number: 734750 | Caliber / Gauge: 12 Gauge | LOP: 14" | Working Order: Firearm has not been tested | Background Check: Required | Keywords: Firearms, Guns, Firearm; Ref: BD3301

  • Provenance: This shotgun includes a personal letter written by the Staff Editor, R. Stephen Dorsey from The Gun Report. Dated October 31st, 1994. Also SRS has shotgun serial number "734757" which is only seven away from this shotgun notes that it was used for Military District of Hawaii (Confiscated) which matches this shotgun history as well.
  • Dimensions: 20" barrel
  • Circa: 1924
  • Notes: ***FFL Required For All Firearms Manufactured After 1898: Out-of-State Buyers Firearms must be shipped through our 3rd Party Shipper Westside Mail Center and ALL Firearms Manufactured After 1898 must be shipped to a valid holder of a Federal Firearms License. BEFORE PLACING BIDS ON FIREARMS, CHECK YOUR STATE AND COUNTY LAWS TO VERIFY THE FIREARM IS LEGAL IN YOUR STATE. It is the Bidders responsibility to know or verify the legality of a specific Firearm or Magazine prior to placing any bids. FIREARMS UNABLE TO BE SHIPPED TO YOUR STATE WILL RESULT IN A REFUND MINUS A 25% RESTOCKING FEE AND SHIPPING COSTS IF APPLICABLE; Local Arizona Buyers MUST have a Valid ARIZONA ID with a Current Physical Address and MUST complete all necessary background and registration forms at Bradford's Auction Gallery Firearms Manufactured After 1898. ANY DENIED BACKGROUND CHECK WILL RESULT IN A REFUND MINUS A 25% RESTOCKING FEE ****
  • Condition: This shotgun is in great condition with minor signs of wear commensurate with age and light use. Approx. 40%-50% original metal finish retained. There are some minor nicks, scuffs and small scratches. Most of the balance is in normal operational wear. Most of the finish has turned a light to dark patina color but the blue on the front of the mag tube and under the heat shield is well preserved. Most he finish wear is on the top half of the receiver. The screwheads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The bore is bright, there is no erosion and very light spot of wear. The left side of the slide handle has a small crack in the front of the handle. Please review the photos for details and condition.

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Shipping

LOCAL PICK-UP INFORMATION:
Buyers can pick-up up their purchased lots locally at Bradford's Auction Gallery or have their items shipped. Local pick up is available upon payment of the invoice. There is no fee for local pickup however, storage fees may apply for items not picked up.

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The winning bidder / buyer is solely responsible for the shipping. All fees and costs associated with shipping are separate from the hammer price (winning bid), buyer's premium and sales taxes. The winning bidder / buyer has the right to arrange their own shipping with a 3rd party shipper at their own expense if you prefer to use a shipper other than Westside Mail Center. All packing and shipping from any company besides Westside Mail Center must be arranged and coordinated by the winning bidder / buyer within 5 days from the date of the sale or an additional storage surcharge could apply. The cost of an item can affect the price of insurance, packaging materials and method of shipping however, shipping costs are based on size, weight, dimension, location, speed as well as other factors. Winning bidders / buyers are responsible for payment of auction invoices regardless of the cost of shipping as the winning bidder / buyer is solely responsible for the shipping and any costs associated. Sales are final and items cannot be returned to Bradford's or refunded due to shipping.

3RD PARTY SHIPPERS
Bradford's can assist the winning bidder / buyer by arranging shipping and insurance through a 3rd party shipper however, the buyer is responsible for obtaining quotes and scheduling pick-up. Bradford's Auction Gallery reserves the right to ship parcels via our own in-house shipping methods, based on actual weight or dimensional weight (whichever is greater).

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LOCAL PICK UP - ARIZONA FIREARMS BUYERS
Arizona residents MUST pick-up in person at Bradford's Auction Gallery with a scheduled date of pick up. Details and information will be included on the winning bidders invoice. Any local Arizona Buyer of Post 1898 firearms MUST complete all necessary registration forms at Bradford's Auction Gallery. Local Buyers MUST have a Valid ARIZONA ID with Current Physical Address. If your Arizona ID does not reflect your current address you MUST provide us with a secondary form of ID that contains your correct address. Arizona Gun Dealers must have a signed copy of their Federal Firearms License in order to accept delivery of modern weapons. ANY DENIED BACKGROUND CHECK WILL RESULT IN A REFUND MINUS A 25% RESTOCKING FEE.

OUT OF TOWN SHIPPING FIREARMS BUYERS:
Shipping for Out-of-State Buyers must be done through our 3rd Party Shipper Westside Mail Center. All firearms Post 1898 must be shipped to a valid holder of a Federal Firearms License on ALL Modern Weapons. The full cost of shipping and packing will be at the winning bidders / buyers expense. It is your responsibility to provide Westside Mail Center with the FFL dealer of your choice and they are responsible for sending the 3rd party shipper a copy of their FFL information. FIREARMS UNABLE TO BE SHIPPED TO YOUR STATE WILL RESULT IN A REFUND MINUS A 25% RESTOCKING FEE AND SHIPPING COSTS IF APPLICABLE.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $5
$100 $199 $10
$200 $999 $20
$1,000 $4,999 $50
$5,000 $9,999 $100
$10,000 + $200