serial #734669, 12 ga, 20'' plain barrel choked cylinder with a bright excellent bore. This shotgun was likely imported to Great Britain for use in their Home Guard. The receiver of the shotgun retains about 60% original blue finish with flaking of the finish, light to moderate wear to the high edges of the receiver, light oxidation staining, and a few light handling marks. The barrel and magazine tube retain about 90% original blue finish with a thinning spot on the barrel near the breech, operational wear on the magazine tube and action bar, light wear at the muzzle, and a few small spots of light pitting and oxidation staining. The six-row handguard and bayonet adapter retain about 85-90% original blue with flaking of the blue finish, light oxidation staining, and a few small spots of light pitting. The smooth pistolgrip walnut stock is in about very good condition as lightly cleaned with a hastily repaired narrow 1 1/4'' chip to the toe and buttplate, four short hairline cracks in the wrist against the receiver, scattered old light handling marks, and an added finish. The grooved forend is in excellent condition. The two-line barrel address is soft but easily legible, with part of it concealed beneath the handguard, the barrel is correctly marked ''CYL'', and the barrel and receiver both bear Winchester proofs. Additionally, the left side of the barrel is marked with crisp British import proofs, including ''NOT ENGLISH MAKE''; the receiver of the shotgun also is marked with a crisp British proof. The Winchester trade mark on the action bar has been worn to be largely illegible, with the ''MODEL 97'' remaining intact, and the left side of the bayonet adapter is crisply stamped ''PAT. JAN. 15 & MAR. 19. 1918''. The shotgun is sighted with a lone brass bead and appears to function well mechanically. A very fine example of these desirable trench guns, not often seen in such strong condition, used by our British allies. (14B9793-6) {C&R} (2000/3000)
firearm