Inside Trench Warfare: Why Trench Guns Changed Combat
This month, I want to talk about modern tactical shotguns and where they got their start. It all started with the Winchester Model 1897. The Model 1897 was designed by John Browning and over a million were produced from 1897-1957. The military saw the advantage of using shotguns in combat situations, especially during times of close combat. The model 97 saw its first combat use in the Philippines, fighting off tribesmen who were attacking with knives and swords. The shotgun was faster and more effective than the standard bolt-action rifle that was commonly issued to American troops.
Model 97 Trench Gun
During WW1, the U.S. military saw how cramped and brutal the trenches were and that they needed a smaller and more effective firearm. This marked the birth of the Trench Gun as we know it today. The model 97’s barrel was cut down to 20 inches. A heat shield was installed on top of the shotgun to protect the hands of the troops when the barrel would get hot. To make the shotgun even more lethal, a bayonet lug was added to help protect soldiers when the battle turned to close combat situations. The ammunition used was “double ott” 00 buckshot and was also lethal. That shotgun shell holds nine 30 caliber lead balls. In comparison, most military weapons of the day were bolt action 30 caliber rifles. A typical rate of fire per minute using a bolt-action rifle is about 15 rounds. If you wanted it to be more accurate, then that rate of fire decreases even more. Using the longer rifles in close combat greatly reduced the soldier’s mobility as well. Most of these rifles, with bayonets fixed, were 5 feet in length or more. The model 97 was designed to increase the mobility and firepower of the soldier using it. One other feature that was unmatched by any other firearm of its time was the ability to “slam fire”. The soldier could hold the trigger down and operate the pump action and the shotgun would fire every time the bolt closed on a new shell. This feature further increased the rate of fire. The model 97 was so lethal that the Germans in WW1 protested the use in warfare stating that it caused unnecessary suffering.
Model 97 After WW1
The model 97 continued to see more military action in WW2, Korea, and the Vietnam war. My father, who fought in the Philippines during WW2, told me he ended up trading his Thompson machine gun for the trench gun. He said that it was more effective in jungle warfare and it was a lot lighter to carry.
The Trench Gun is highly sought after today. Many people are even making their own or having gunsmiths build them so they can add them to their collections. I’m currently working on one in my shop. The one in my shop is a Winchester Model 12 that I’ve modified into a trench gun.
Mossberg and Remington Trench Guns
Other manufacturers like Mossberg and Remington have their own style of trench shotguns and were also used in combat. During my time in the Marines, my assistant driver in Somalia carried a Mossberg 500 Tactical Shotgun. It is familiar descendant of the M97. It was ideal for clearing rooms and carrying them in highly congested areas.
Although trenches are no longer utilized in warfare, the trench gun lives on. It has evolved into the combat or tactical shotguns we see today. The ease of manufacturing today and the materials used made modifying shotguns for tactical use easier. Winchester makes a tactical shotgun today.
Conclusion
Most shotgun manufacturers have their own “trench gun”. And since our gun world is mostly ruled by “Black Guns” it’s fitting to have tactical shotguns as part of the line up. Premium shotgun manufacturers like Benelli and Beretta offer tactical shotguns. They carry not only pump-action but also semi-automatic guns. Benelli’s are used by most military branches as well as police and S.W.A.T. teams across the world.
Next time you look at that tactical shotgun at your local gun shop, remember where it got its start.
Semper Fi!
Written by: David Johnson
