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LOT 285
Excellent World War II U.S. Winchester
Model 97 Slide Action Trench Shotgun
with Bayonet and Ammunition Belt - Serial no. E930841,
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, and examples of a World War II Model 97 trench shotgun in excellent, original condition are extremely scarce. Single bead front sight and six-hole heat shield with bayonet lug. The barrel is marked as cylinder choke, a 2 3/4 inch chamber, and “41” dated on the underside. A “flaming bomb” proof is present on top of the barrel, matching serial numbers are marked on the bottom of the receiver and takedown collar, and large “U.S.” marked on the left of the receiver. Ribbed forearm and smooth pistol grip
stock with “W.B./Ordnance cannons” inspection cartouches stamped on the left, sling swivels, checkered buttplate and a 13
3/4 inch length of pull. Includes a tan canvas Mills 1917 ammunition belt and a 1917 dated M1917 Winchester manufactured
bayonet with correct style 1917 dated olive drab green leather scabbard.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus bright original blue finish with some light scratches mostly concentrated on the right
of the receiver, light cycling wear visible on the magazine tube, and sharp markings in the metal. Wood is also excellent with
defined edges and rich oil finish, some handling marks and dents, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Included
bayonet and scabbard are both very fine. This excellent Winchester Model 97 trench shotgun would make a fine addition to
any U.S. Military or World War II collection!
Estimate: 9,500 - 15,000
LOT 286
Exceptionally Rare “E-Prefix” Underwood Presentation Semi-Automatic M1 Carbine - Serial no. E 276, 30 M1 Carbine cal., 18 inch
round bbl., parkerized/blue finish, walnut stock. This is an outstanding, all original Presentation type M1 Carbine that was manufactured by
the Underwood Elliott-Fisher Company that remains in its original unaltered, like-new condition. During the early days of WWII at the start of
production, several companies that manufactured M1 Carbines for the military set aside/reserved a specific block of serial numbers usually with
a letter prefix of an X, E or both, as preproduction examples or test models. Later at the end of WWII these serial number blocks were just used to present specific M1 Carbines to senior members of
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the military as well as Senior Executives or Corporate officials. This example is serial numbered “E 276” on the heal of the receiver denoting it was a presentation carbine. These
carbines were assembled from left over military contract parts that used both early and late production parts and select stocks and handguards to make sure they not only looked good
but functioned equally as well. It is estimated that approximately 50-100 carbines were manufactured by several companies, with the majority of the known examples manufactured by the Inland Division and Winchester Companies. So far we have only sold several examples in past auctions, so one will conclude that they are very rare. Any presentation example is highly sought by advance collectors today. This carbine has the standard “U.S. CARBINE/M1” markings on the front receiver ring with the rear area stamped “UNDERWOOD/E 276”, and the barrel is marked “UNDERWOOD/9-42/ Ordnance Shell and Flame insignia”. It has a mix of early and late features such as the Type III receiver, the early barrel noted previously, which is fitted with a type III bayonet lug/barrel band. The receiver is fitted with a blued type 1 “U” marked, flat bolt and a late production adjustable stamped rear sight marked “I.R. CO.” on the side. It is also fitted with a type II operating rod slide with the square back cut, stamped “O.U.” on the inside. It is fitted with a stamped and brazed trigger housing, with a smooth unmarked push-button safety and unmarked magazine release. It is fitted with a early high wood stock that has the mid-production oval cut, oiler slot that is stamped “M-U” in the sling slot and an early two-rivet “IO” marked handguard. This mix of early and late parts is exactly correct as they used whatever was left over after production ended. It does not include magazine or sling.
CONDITION: Excellent with 98% of the original WWII gray-green parkerized finish overall with only minor edge and high spot wear. The top front edges of the correct blued bolt show some
minor light wear from cycling. The stock and handguard are both in very fine condition with the handguard being a little darker in color with both only showing some very light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. There is a light semi-circular stress crack visible directly on the left rear side of the recoil plate. An exceptionally nice all original late
WWII Underwood “E-Prefix” Presentation M1 Carbine.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000