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LOT 281
Outstanding Prohibition Era Winchester Model 1897 Slide Action Riot Shotgun - Serial no. E755669, 12 gauge, 20 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1922. Single steel front sight bead. The action bar is roll-stamped “MODEL 97/-WINCHESTER-/TRADE MARK REG. U.S.PAT.OFF. & FNG.”” in three lines, and the barrel is marked “12 GA.” and “CYL” along with the Winchester address and patent information. Oval Winchester “W/P” proofmarks are stamped on the top of the barrel and the receiver. The serial number “E/755669” is roll-stamped across the bottom of the receiver. Mounted with an 18-groove forend and smooth pistol grip stock fitted with a checkered hard rubber Winchester buttplate. No U.S. Ordnance or departmental markings are present on the gun, however it is very likely that this gun was ordered by a police
department given the popularity of these riot configuration guns for use in close quarters in the lawless prohibition era before the, now common, less than lethal means of today. Whatever the history of this gun, it is clear that it has been extremely well taken care of due to the outstanding condition. Length of pull is 13 7/8 inches.
CONDITION: Excellent plus overall, retaining over 97% bright original high polish blue finish, three small bright patches on the right
lower side of the action, and overall minimal handling evidence. Mechanically excellent. This example of an 1897 Riot shotgun would be hard to improve upon, looking nearly as though it came of the production line yesterday!
Estimate: 6,500 - 8,500
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