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Sidearms & Scatterguns To trench gun, or not to trench gun?

Swingpress

Private
Minuteman
Dec 26, 2018
41
112
That is the question I’m facing! Always wanted an 1897 trench gun, but now that a donor is on the way I’m kinda having some reservations about chopping it. It was made in 1905, should I feel guilty if I go through with it?
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Why not find and buy an actual trench gun?!?
Hard to justify the prices I have been seeing. That’s the only reason I have even entertained the idea of modifying one. Also, I have seen a conversion finished with cerakote and it looked awesome in my opinion. It’s just a nagging desire at this point. I can always use another shotgun regardless! ?
 
Over 1 million 1897 shotguns were produced. Not only does yours have no finish remaining, but it appears to have been polished. The rubber recoil pad is not original. Your shotgun, as shown, is worth from $495 to $695 assuming it is in good mechanical condition. Go ahead and make a trench gun out of it. I had several of these at one time for SASS cowboy action shooting, still have three and parts to make two more. The run of the mill 1897 does not bring much on the aftermarket, is readily available in large numbers , and are shooters, barring any rare variation or 100% mint unfired condition. My wife at World's with her 1897.
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Do it, but take you're time and get all the parts together. There are a couple threads with the parts numbers. VJJPunisher did a great write up.

This was my Grandfathers shotgun and it was 10 kinds of fucked after a bad round bulged the barrel and broke the front receiver. Obviously was a take down, so it's no clone but I like it. . Took a lot of work to get it back into firing condition, and some custom made parts to properly convert to a non-takedown tube but this will go on to at least a 3rd generation of my family.

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Do it, but take you're time and get all the parts together. There are a couple threads with the parts numbers. VJJPunisher did a great write up.

This was my Grandfathers shotgun and it was 10 kinds of fucked after a bad round bulged the barrel and broke the front receiver. Obviously was a take down, so it's no clone but I like it. . Took a lot of work to get it back into firing condition, and some custom made parts to properly convert to a non-takedown tube but this will go on to at least a 3rd generation of my family.

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Some of the WWII vintage 97 trench guns were takedown. This isn't the article where I originally read that but it is what I could find now.
 
Is there anything nostalgic about the gun (i.e. it came from Great Grandpa, etc.)? If so, I’d leave it for the time being, just for sentimental reasons. You can always chop it up and modify it later. If it’s just an old shotgun, then why not go ahead and turn it into somethkng you might enjoy more?

My buddy is going through the same thing with an old Wingmaster he got from his grandfather. He’s trying to decide whether or not to turn it into a short barrel shotgun, but sentimental value has kept him from it so far.