Winchester Model 23 Golden Quail #23 of 500 .410 SXS Side by Side Double Barrel Shotgun & Box, MFD 1987
SOLD FOR: $3,924
LSB#: 190930BS04
Make: Winchester
Model: 23 Golden Quail, 1 of 500
Serial Number: GQ410-23E
Year of Manufacture: 1987
Gauge: .410 Bore, 2 1/2” & 3? shells
Action Type: Side by Side Top Break with Ejectors and Single Selective Trigger
Markings: The left side of the left barrel is marked “WINCHESTER Golden Quail – 410 BORE 2 1/2? & 3? / EAST ALTON IL. U.S.A.”, the right of the right barrel is marked “MADE IN JAPAN” and the top of the rib is marked “Golden Quail”. The left barrel flat is marked “F”, “WP” in circle and “3”, the right is marked “M”, “WP” in circle, “23”, and “41-3” in oval. The bottom of the right barrel is marked “WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL”. The top of the forend iron is marked “23”. The right of the water table is marked “WP” in cirlce, the top tang is marked with the serial number, the bottom of the receiver is marked “GOLDEN QUAIL”. The receiver is scroll engraved surrounding quail and hunting dog scenes on the sides with an embossed quail head in gold on the bottom.
Barrel Length: 25 1/2”
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Modfied, Both Fixed
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a white bead in a base at the front of the solid rib. The top of the rib is serrated in a wavy pattern to reduce glare.
Weight: 6 lb., 6.8 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece select walnut with a beavertail forend, straight grip, straight comb, textured orange rubber Winchester buttpad and checkering with fleur di lis motif. The stocks have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2?, drop at heel 2 1/2?. The cast is about neutral. The buttpad has no notable wear or damage. The stocks rate in Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Coin
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is a hint of surface oxidation on the muzzle-face and faint operational wear, concealed when assembled with the action closed. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejectors. The safety engages automatically on opening the action. The barrels lock up with no play to the receiver. The trigger is mechanical, not recoil operated. We have not fired this shotgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes in a two-piece cardboard Winchester box with serial-matching label, separate cardboard sleeves for the stocked receiver, barrels, and forend, and with an assortment of factory paperwork including manual. The box has scattered light storage wear with a puncture on the top of the lid portion, in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: With so many classic designs, the Winchester collector has many options but few are as rare or beautiful as the Model 23 Golden Quail series. Produced in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987, five hundred Golden Quail series guns each were made in 20 GA, 28 GA, 12 GA and .410, respectively. The .410 was made in the last year of production for the Model 23, considered by many to be Winchester’s last great shotgun. This example is in Excellent condition with signs of very light, responsible use and it comes with its Winchester Golden Quail luggage case in equally nice condition. Its beauty is matched by functionality, the engraved coin-finished receiver and beautiful walnut stocks paired with a mechanical single trigger and selective ejectors. This gun is truly a rare marriage of form and function. Just to add to the beauty, quality and rarity of this gun, it is also serial number 23 in the series of five hundred .410 bore Model 23 Golden Quails made, a rare find indeed for the dedicated collector. Please see our photos and good luck!