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LOT 1468
World War I Era Winchester Model 1897 Slide Action
Trench Shotgun - Serial no. E694831, 12 gauge, 20 3/8
inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in
1918, this World War I era Winchester Model 1897 trench shotgun falls into the approximate known serial range of E613000-E705000.
This example is not U.S. martially marked. 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. Featuring a six-hole handguard/bayonet adapter with the original patent date marking at the left muzzle end. The barrel protrudes
1/2 inch ahead of the bayonet adapter, which is considered correct for a World War I era Winchester 1897 trench shotgun. Cylinder choke marked barrel and receiver both stamped with
a circled Winchester “WP” proof at the breech. The slide bar has the model and trademark information. Grooved forearm and later production replacement smooth pistol grip stock with a
checkered hard rubber buttplate. Faint remnants of markings stamped in the left of the buttstock. Length of pull is 13 3/4 inches. Reference page 50 of Bruce Canfield’s book “Complete Guide to
United States Military Combat Shotguns” for information on World War I era Winchester Model 1897 trench shotguns.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 95% plus factory refurbished blue finish on the receiver and barrel assembly with some light handling marks. Heat shield portion appears to be a duller refinished blue finish with the bayonet lug retaining most of the bright original high polish blue finish. Replacement buttstock is very fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled with some light scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 1469
Rare Early World War II U.S. Remington Model 1903
Bolt Action Factory “Cutaway” Rifle - NSN, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized/
blue finish, walnut stock. This is a rare example of a U.S. Model 1903 cutaway rifle that was manufactured by Remington Arms Company circa mid 1942. These cutaway type rifles were used as training aids, by
armorers and company officials, to visually show the internal functions and mating surfaces of the various
parts. They were usually manufactured using out of tolerance parts and/or early parts used in the set up
of the various manufacturing machines. They all lacked the standard markings and inspection proofs just
like this example. A small amount of these Remington 1903 cutaways were ever made, with most being
destroyed at the end of production or given away as gifts after the war. This excellent example has most
of its viewable cutaway sections on the left side with a few on the right. They all show the internal mating/
functional areas of the rifle. Some of the cutaway areas on this rifle are the chamber, internal areas of the
magazine, the sear/striker rod engagement surfaces, the receiver recoil lug/stock area and the locking lugs
on the bolt. As noted, this rare example has no factory receiver markings, serial number or proofmarks except
for the barrel which is marked “RA/6-42”, two hand stamped “SCRAP” markings on the underside of the stock
ahead of and behind the trigger housing as seen on other Remington cutaway 1903 examples indicating this is a rejected production stock,
and a flaming bomb stamp on the right of the buttstock. It has the original early combination Remington dark green parkerized and blued finishes on the various parts. It is fitted with
a second pattern, two bolt “S” style straight grip stock and handguard. It has all the correct milled components. Similar examples are pictured and described on pages 121-123 of the
book “03 Springfield Service Rifle” by Bruce N. Canfield, and pages 238-240 of the book “The Springfield 1903 Rifles” by Lt. Col. William S. Brophy. Includes two .30-06 Frankford Arsenal “54” dated dummy rounds and cleaning kit in butt compartment.
CONDITION: Excellent as a factory made cutaway rifle, retains 97% plus of the original combination green, parkerized, and blue finishes overall with arsenal refurbished blue finish visible on the middle barrel band. The various cutouts are all original and clearly expose the inner workings of this historic rifle. Stock is very fine with attractive rich oil finish, some scattered light handling marks, one small crack behind the bottom of the rear magazine cutout, a minor chipped sliver at the bottom edge of the recoil lug cutout, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. A desirable example of a limited production World War II Remington Arms factory cutaway U.S. Model 1903 rifle.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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