It was my dream to own an m1897 so at the first sight of one I jumped at it . A m1897 in what appeared as perfect condition at a gun show with a price tag of 2850 I saved for so long just to purchase one one day . I asked if he’d go lower on price in response was an extremely rude and a long winded rant in which he yelled about how amazing it is, showed me pictures of how much they’re worth normally and how much the heat guard is worth on its own and how much of a deal it was , I was convinced . Hesitant about the purchase he promised he’d buy it off me if I didn’t want it anymore or wanted to get rid of it or even trade it in for one of his other firearms . I left thinking that although it was a rough interaction the “ deal “ of 2600 was worth it . I took it to two different professional gunsmiths who said not only was it NOT a genuine trench gun but that the internals were bent which stoped the action from working properly and that the barrel end was also completely bent in .(I didn’t notice this because every time I tried to grab the gun he went on a long rant talked over me and held it in his arms almost refusing to let me hold it until I purchased it, this should have been a sign for me to turn and leave but my dream gun was right in front of me for the first time of my
Life and I couldn’t walk away ) the gunsmiths also elaborated that it was a good thing I didn’t try to fire it since there was a high chance of a “ grenade “ situation and seriously injuring myself . I then felt depressed about my purchase but assured myself that this veteran wouldn’t screw over another veteran and would stick to his word . After calling him he told me to drop off the firearm and told me the people I took it to are “ stupid , retarded , scumbags , etc etc etc “( in another extremely long winded yelling rant) he promised me that I’ll leave as a satisfied customer . I stated “ sir , I just want to get rid of this firearm . Please . I’d like my money back .” He told me to give him two weeks and that his friend who was supposedly a trusted gunsmith will fix it ( he did not have a firearm on his hip in this meetup , this is important for later on ) . I said ok thinking , well if it at least works properly I have an overpriced fake trench gun but I’ll be ok with that . He called me 3 weeks later and after telling me it was ready to pick up I answered stating that I would prefer to just have my money if that was ok rather than get the gun ( I realized after a track record of lying believing him about this supposed gunsmith that knows more than any other I took it to would be a dumb decision ) . Angrily he yelled saying I either pick it up today or he will send it to a gun shop where I will not only have to pay a transfer but also undergo a background check . I pleaded to be heard and stated that he promised he’d not only buy it back but at least do a trade which he cut me off and yelled yet again that he will send it to a random gun shop if I don’t pick it up and stated “ look I already sent it to my guy and I’m being nice since I’m not charging you 180$ for him fixing it . I can charge you that and the rest of it if you don’t pick it up “ I stated that the gun was messed up before I even bought it why would I pay for that if I asked for a refund for the gun like you promised . After this he threatened to hang up n yet again follow through with the extra charge n undergoing paper work and transfer fee etc etc . I in loss of words calmly stated “ ok I’ll go pick it up “ after arriving he opened the door making me walk first to the living room while he was behind me and proceeded to have a firearm on his hip in his house ( as if I was going to do something ) and proceeded to yell about how everyone I took it to was wrong that the gun was fine and that it was a 100+ year old gun and THATS WHY it STILL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY!! . I ,feeling threatened from his yelling cursing and banging around along with the firearm on his hip in such a close proximity just shook my head signed a paper and got out of the house . I have since then continued to take it to other people just to hear that it can not be fixed and that hundreds would have to get put into it because it’s a mess of a firearm . This man is a liar whose words hold no value whatsoever . As a veteran to veteran he should be extremely ashamed of this disgusting behavior and deceivement. Please do not trust or buy from him .