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LOT 417
Exceptional and Desirable World War II U.S. Winchester Model 97 Slide Action Trench Shotgun - Serial no. E951167, 12 gauge, 21 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The Winchester 1897 was one of John Browning’s many contributions to American sporting and combat arms, and in both the “trench” and “riot” configurations
performed fine service for military and law enforcement users, seeing action as early as 1899 in the
Philippines, and earning particular fame in World War I and World War II for it’s potent close range firepower.
The Winchester Model 97 Trench Gun was extensively utilized in the Pacific Theater during World War II and
remained in the Army and Marine inventory until the 1990s. Single bead sight on the bayonet lug, with a
six-hole heat shield over the barrel, which has standard markings, flaming bomb and Winchester proofs on top of the breech, and cylinder choke and 2 3/4 inch chamber markings on the left of the breech. “U.S.” and a flaming bomb stamped on the left rear of the receiver, with matching serial numbers on the receiver and barrel iron. “42” dated underneath the breech of the barrel. Fitted with an 18-groove forearm, smooth pistol grip stock stamped with a boxed “W.B.” above crossed cannons ordnance cartouche on the left side, and a checkered Winchester buttplate. 13 3/4 inch length of pull. Includes M1907 brown leather sling.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% original blue finish with some moderate cycling wear, a few light scratches, a few small dings underneath the action, a few areas of scattered light freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is very fine with defined edges and forearm grooves, a mild chip in the right rear of the forearm, numerous scattered light handling marks and scratches, and crisp stampings. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 418
Outstanding World War I Winchester
Model 1917 “Production Sample” Bolt Action Rifle - Serial no. 548244, 30-06 Springfield
cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is an outstanding example of an unissued Winchester Model 1917 in-house production sample
bolt action rifle as manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms company for the U.S. Army during World War I. The Model 1917 rifle was adopted after the British
Pattern 1914 rifle contract ended, with the 1917 becoming a war-expedient option since Winchester was already tooled up from the previous contract, and it required very
little modification of the British pattern rifle to adopt it to use the U.S. military’s standard cartridge, the .30-06 Springfield. This rifle is actually a late production model, based on the later serial number
of the rifle, that was undoubtedly retained by the Winchester factory as an “in-house” production sample rifle. It retains all the original Winchester marked parts in their original configurations. The top of
the receiver is only marked with the serial number “548244”, with a small circle “WP” Winchester proof on top of the left receiver rail and top of the exposed barrel. Correspondingly the barrel is also unmarked
which tracks with it being retained by the Winchester factory as an in-house sample. The rifle has the original Winchester factory issue blue finished bolt that is marked with the large letter “W” and “N.S.” markings on the
underside of the bolt handle indicating it was made by Winchester from Nickel Steel material. The rifle is fitted with the original factory walnut hand guards and finger groove stock with a small single Eagle head proof ahead of the trigger housing and the front end of the stock marked with a large “W” indicating Winchester manufacture as well as “35”. Several years ago, the Winchester factory sold off a large number of its duplicate rifles from their private collection. Even though this rifle does not have any accompanying documentation, based on its high state of condition it is very likely that this rifle came from that group. It would certainly be worth doing some further research on this very scarce and high end condition rifle to document it’s history. Rock Island Auction Company previously
sold another example of a Winchester Model 1917 “Production Sample” with serial number 548250, only
six numbers off of this example bearing serial number 548244.
CONDITION: Excellent plus and unissued, retains 98% plus original blue finish, with only a few small spots
of light flaking and light cycling wear on the bolt. Stock is also excellent plus, with attractive original
raised grain, minimal handling marks, and distinct finger grasping grooves and edges. This outstanding
Winchester Model 1917 “Production Sample” rifle would make a fine addition to any Winchester or U.S.
military firearms collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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