This is an absolutely gorgeous original EARLY WWII M97 Trench gun with no problems and no issues. Serial number is 925,551, putting production in late 1941 or early 1942. Original finish is about 90-95%. This trench gun has the 6-row heat shield that is typical of early WWII production (i.e. it is not Patent-marked like the WWI guns and is attached using larger rivet heads than the WWI guns). Left side of receiver is marked U.S., without the flaming bomb, as is typical of early WWII production. The barrel is dated 1940 and has the plugged front sight, as is typical of early WWII production trench guns.