Winchester 101 American Flyer Live Bird 28″ & 29 1/2″ Combo Set 12 GA, 1987
SOLD FOR: $2651
LSB#: 210628RH05
Make: Winchester
Model: 101 American Flyer Live Bird, Combo Model
Serial Number: PK535412E
Year of Manufacture: 1987
Gauge: 12, 2 ¾” Shells
Action Type: Top-Break Over/Under Shotgun with Single Selective Trigger (inertial) and Ejectors
Markings: The left of each top barrel is marked “WINCHESTER American Flyer – 12 GAUGE – 2 3/4″ 70mm / EAST ALTON IL., U.S.A.”. The left-rear of each barrel has an ovalled “WP” proof. The left of each monoblock is marked “XF” above the ejector arm and “W/C” below. The left of each barrel lug is marked “X”. The bottom of each bottom barrel is marked “WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL”. The bottom of each barre lug is marked “6” or “9” and “12-2 3/4” in oval. The bottom of each monoblock is mraked “535412”, the 28″ set has “1” and the 29 1/2″ set has “2”. The right of each top barrel is marked “MADE IN JAPAN”. The bottom of the receiver has a molded gold pigeon. The trigger plate has a gold border and in the middle is “WINCHESTER / LIVE BIRD”. The receiver has gold border decorations with decorative engraving at the hinge. The top tang is marked “PK535412E”. The water table has a “WP” in oval proof. The forend hardware is marked “535412” and the inside wood is stamped “5412”.
Barrel Length: 28″ and 29 1/2″. Each barrel set has a wide, raised, ventilated rib and separated barrels.
Choke: Each top barrel is choked Extra Full, Fixed. Each bottom barrel is threaded for Win Chokes. Included are two Full, one each Extra Full, Improved Modified and Modified WinChokes as well as Briley WinChoke threaded Improved Cylinder and Light Modified.
Sights / Optics: Each barrel set has a white bead in a base at the front of the rib and a smaller white mid-bead. The top of the ribs are serrated to reduce glare.
Weight:
28″ Barrels Installed: 8 lb., 8.9 oz.
29 1/2″ Barrels Installed: 8 lb., 10.6 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with beavertail forend, flat-bottom pistol grip, straight comb and ventilated black rubber Winchester recoil pad. There is a nick in the comb and another at the bottom edge of the grip on the right. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad. The drop at comb is about 1 3/8?, drop at heel is about 1 1/4?. The drops are consistent across both barrel sets. The pad has no notable wear and is still supple. The stocks rate in Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Gold Trim
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun set retains about 97% of its metal finish. Each barrel set has minor wear from the forend being installed/removed, concealed when assembled. The action has minor operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun set rates in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. It has a single selective inertially set trigger. The safety does not engage automatically when the action is opened, but functions properly when engaged manually. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories:
-Green canvas Boyt zipper case with long exterior pocket for the additional barrel set.
-Briley black plastic choke case holding the additional chokes.
-Winchester branded choke wrench.
Our Assessment: The iconic Model 101 is a shotgun with legendary styling and handling and the unquestionable reliability you expect from Winchester firearms. This example is a particularly scarce variant, the American Flyer Live Bird. The Live Bird guns were only imported in 1987 and were offered with either 28″ or 29 1/2″ barrels, the top fixed Extra Full and the bottom threaded for WinChokes. The barrels had special raised, wide competition vent ribs and were supplied with deluxe walnut stocks. There were only 45 matched sets with both barrel lengths made. This example is in Excellent condition, appearing to have seen limited and responsible use. The set comes in a nice Boyt case for storage and transport. Whether you’re looking to use this for its original purpose of shooting live pigeon, busting clays, or to add this quite rare set to a collection, this set will be wonderful for any avid shotgun hunter, shooter or collector. Please see our photos and good luck!