alktrio06 Posted August 9, 2013 Share #1 Posted August 9, 2013 I am looking to add an M1897 trench gun to the collection and I saw this..... http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=358973129 Any opinions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m1ashooter Posted August 9, 2013 Share #2 Posted August 9, 2013 I'm not an expert, the gun looks correct but is in rough shape for $1800. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGrayGhost Posted August 9, 2013 Share #3 Posted August 9, 2013 I'm no expert either, but this gun looks really rough. I'm not sure on the price, I'd wait an see if anyone bids on it, Gunbroker has the 15 minute rule so it can't be sniped. If no one bids, the seller may relist at a lower price or you can negotiate with him directly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkdriver Posted August 9, 2013 Share #4 Posted August 9, 2013 He does rate it at fair. Looks good to me otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blair217 Posted August 9, 2013 Share #5 Posted August 9, 2013 Save your money for something better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt Saunders Posted August 9, 2013 Share #6 Posted August 9, 2013 Save your money for something better. I agree, pass. Maybe for another $500.00 you could find a nicer one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alktrio06 Posted August 9, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted August 9, 2013 I think I will do that. If I'm going to shell out that kind of money, a little more for one in better condition would be worth it. Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Military Guy Posted August 9, 2013 Share #8 Posted August 9, 2013 One too many 1s in front of the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linedoggie Posted August 9, 2013 Share #9 Posted August 9, 2013 Kerr sling on its a repro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunny Posted August 10, 2013 Share #10 Posted August 10, 2013 Its a little rough for that amount of money, as others have said, I'd pass on it for something better in condition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cplnorton Posted August 10, 2013 Share #11 Posted August 10, 2013 I would pass on it as well. It's been refinished before at the minimum so all the collector value is gone. I'm not positive it is real either. I would want to see more pics. Now to be honest though, a really nice 1897 will run you over 4k pretty easy. I've seen some nice one's sell in the 5k range and a couple even more than that. Most of the ones in the 3k range and below are put-togethers. I'm pretty good with the model 12 Trenchs as that is the one I have always collected. But the 1897's are a whole different breed because they are very, very easy to fake. There is a guy over on the jouster forum that is an absolute expert on them. I would never buy one without sending him pics of it first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neuron Posted August 11, 2013 Share #12 Posted August 11, 2013 I didn't know they were that easy to fake. Fake to the uninitiated or to the well informed also? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alktrio06 Posted August 11, 2013 Author Share #13 Posted August 11, 2013 I would pass on it as well. It's been refinished before at the minimum so all the collector value is gone. I'm not positive it is real either. I would want to see more pics. Now to be honest though, a really nice 1897 will run you over 4k pretty easy. I've seen some nice one's sell in the 5k range and a couple even more than that. Most of the ones in the 3k range and below are put-togethers. I'm pretty good with the model 12 Trenchs as that is the one I have always collected. But the 1897's are a whole different breed because they are very, very easy to fake. There is a guy over on the jouster forum that is an absolute expert on them. I would never buy one without sending him pics of it first. Wow, thanks for the advice. Do you have that guys screen name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad k Posted August 11, 2013 Share #14 Posted August 11, 2013 alot of riot guns get turned into trench guns, some are done pretty crude, the barrels on the riot guns don't have the slots for the bayonet adapter screws so it doesn't fit good, thats what I see the most, I saw one once at a gunshow that looked pretty good until I saw the philips head screws in the buttplate and all the other extra stocks and shrouds the guy had on his table made me decide to walk away. books are worth their weight in gold, take your time and get something that you will not have a bad feeling about and not be able to get rid of because nobody else wants it either.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstop61 Posted August 11, 2013 Share #15 Posted August 11, 2013 Looks like the metal, at one time, was rusted pretty badly. It's hard to tell by the pictures, but the finish almost looks like it was spray painted black. Don't walk, but run from this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC312 Posted August 11, 2013 Share #16 Posted August 11, 2013 If the outside is rough as it is, imagine what the bore is like, I would do more than run from it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cplnorton Posted August 12, 2013 Share #17 Posted August 12, 2013 Wow, thanks for the advice. Do you have that guys screen name? Go to this link and post any questions you have about combat shotguns. http://www.jouster.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?19-Military-Shotguns Tom Doniphon and Speedgunner on the forum are two of the best I have ever talkined to on the 1897. If you need any advice on the Model 12, I know those really well. But the 1897 is a different monster and it literally takes many years to spot a really good fake of those. The two guys mentioned forget more than I will ever know on the 1897. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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