Page 317 - 4090-BOOK2

M1917 Bayonet - Serial no. E951213, 12 gauge, 20 7/8 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut stock. The Winchester Model 97 trench shotgun gained
worldwide fame in the trenches of World War I with its slam fire capability and was extensively utilized in the Pacific Theater during World War II, remaining in
Army and Marine inventory until the 1990s. This classic military shotgun is desirable in any condition. Single bead front sight and four-hole heat shield with bayonet lug. The
barrel is marked for cylinder choke, a 2 3/4 inch chamber, and “42” dated on the underside. The serial number of the gun dates to 1943 manufacture according to Winchester Collectors Association, and it was likely factory assembled this way with a one year earlier dated barrel as was common practice during
wartime production. Flaming bomb proofs are present on top of the barrel and on the left side of the frame next to “U.S.”
Matching serial numbers marked on the bottom of the receiver and takedown collar. Ribbed forearm and smooth pistol grip
stock with a boxed “G.H.D.” (Guy H. Drewry) and crossed cannons stamped on the left, “RA-P” stamped on the bottom flat of the
pistol grip indicating this trench gun passed through Raritan Arsenal, sling swivels, checkered buttplate and a 13 3/4 inch length
of pull. Includes a scarce commercial variation Winchester M1917 bayonet with only a circled “W” logo on the blade. Reportedly,
Winchester made a limited number of these non-U.S. marked bayonets in the post-World War I era, believed to have been
intended for law enforcement sales with some likely instead diverted later for military use in the World War II era.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus original blue finish with some light cycling wear visible on the magazine tube, 98%
arsenal refurbished blue finish on the trench heat shield, and some light handling marks. The re-oiled wood is also very fine with
defined edges, some scattered scratches and handling marks, and exceptionally crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. The
included bayonet is excellent with a few patches of minor freckling.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
LOT 1428
Rare Smith & Wesson Mark I Semi-Automatic Light Rifle - Serial no. 376, 9 mm Luger cal., 9 1/2
inch fluted bbl., blue finish, synthetic stock. Developed in the 1940s, the Smith & Wesson Light Rifle
was a contender for military contracts with both the British and the Americans and squared off against
the M1 Carbine as a pistol substitute for officers and support personnel. While it had some novel features, such as the dual-purpose magazine well/ejector port, it failed at trials. Large numbers of the Light Rifle were destroyed, both during testing and afterwards, including a reported incident of the British cutting their Light Rifle samples up with a blowtorch and tossing the resulting scrap into the English Channel. According to Smith & Wesson historian Roy Jinks, a number of crated, unfired Model 1940 Light Rifles were found by Smith & Wesson in 1974 and subsequently sold as collector’s items. The information on page 240 of “The History of Smith & Wesson” by Jinks lists 137 Mark I rifles and 80 Mark II rifles in this found grouping. The pistol grip stock is made of a black plastic/composition material and is fitted with a serrated metal buttplate that is marked with the serial number. The stock also features a red metal tag marked “EXTREMELY/HAZARDOUS/DO NOT/ LOAD OR FIRE” seen on many Light Rifles released from S&W’s inventory. Includes a leather sling.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 97% plus of the original blue finish, showing some scattered light scratches and handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 8,500 - 11,000
According to Smith & Wesson historian Roy Jinks, only 137 Smith & Wesson Mark I Light Rifles still exist.
315
LOT 1427
World War II U.S. Winchester Model 97 Slide Action Trench
Shotgun with Scarce Commercial Winchester