Mystery 1897 Trench Shotgun Shroud

[fenceline]

So I wondered into Proline today and happened across a barrel shroud for a 1897 Trench gun. I figure that gun was a bit of a black gun in its day, so I figured I'd ask about the shroud here. I'll get pics up shortly.

The shroud looks like an after market deal. The blueing is almost russian refurb purple up at the bayonet mount, but the rest is black. And the screws for mounting the shroud to the barrel are actually hex heads. Honestly I'm not sure of the lineage, but I figured I could swap the screws for someone proper looking and build up a Norc 1897 into a trench gun clone.

As I said, pics pending. Let me know what I found and who made it if you can.

 

[fenceline]

Pics...

 

[fenceline]

 

[machman]

Nice find. I like your build idea! Maybe post the photo on Milsurp forum too.

 

[hammerz75]

Proline, Calgary?

 

[Silverback]

I think Chinese manufacture is probably more likely as Norinco did have Trench Gun copies. Here is a picture of my 1897 Trench Gun bayonet attachment for comparison:

[/URL][/IMG]

 

[Silverback]

I have to change my opinion on that shroud, Norinco copied it much closer to the original according to the pictures I found online, it may just be Russian.

 

[grelmar]

Did ProLine just have the one?

 

[Innercity]

h ttp://www.ima-usa.com/u-s-wwi-winchester-m-1897-trench-gun-ventilated-barrel-jacket-heat-shield-with-bayonet-mount.html

Similar but not the purple and proper hardware.

 

[fenceline]

Proline, Calgary?

Yup

 

[fenceline]

Did ProLine just have the one?

Just the one.

 

[fenceline]

Apparently it is pretty close to the Steven trench gun with regards to color.

 

[fraserdw]

The colour is correct for a Stevens but not the modern hex heads. I am thinking Bubba replaced worn head screws with something in the same thread size he had in the work shop. Here is a pic of the Stevens, it looks like yours has a bar stock added?

 

[fenceline]

The colour is correct for a Stevens but not the modern hex heads. I am thinking Bubba replaced worn head screws with something in the same thread size he had in the work shop.

Totally agree on the hex head issue. Luckily there is a nuts and bolts supply shop nearby with pretty much any fastner you could ever want. They will have something more legit looking.

 

[Ganderite]

Purple is the result of the amount of nickle in the steel. It varies a bit from lot to lot, so the amount of purple can vary, too.