Winchester Model 21 30″ Full/Mod 12 GA SXS Double Barrel Shotgun, 1938 C&R
Sold for $3925.00
LSB#: 220906JM001
Make: Winchester
Model: 21
Serial Number: 5168
Year of Manufacture: 1938
Gauge: 12 GA, 2 3/4″ Shells
Action Type: Double Barrel SXS Breakopen with Dual Triggers and Selective Ejectors
Markings: The top of the left barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN. –– PATENTS PENDING”. The top of the right barrel is marked “MODEL 21”, -“WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK”- and “12 GAUGE / 2 3/4 CHAM.”. The bottom of the left barrel is marked “WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL / FULL” and with an inspection mark, the bottom of the right barrel has “MOD. / WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL” and the same inspection mark. Each barrel flat has an ovalled “WP” proof and an inspection mark, the left flat is marked “5168”. The upper tang and the top inside surface of the forend iron are marked “5168”. The right side of the water table is marked with a circled “WP” proof, “U.S.A. PATENTS” and a series of five patent numbers, the left flat is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. MODEL 21 / WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO / NEW HAVEN, CONN.”.
Barrel Length: 30″
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Modified, Both Fixed
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a silver-colored bead at the front of the rib. The top of the rib is finely serrated to reduce glare.
Weight: 7 lb., 9.6 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with splinter forend, pistol grip, straight comb and ventilated black rubber Pachmayr White Line recoil pad. The stocks have only a few scattered minor scuffs and scratches, most on the left of the buttstock. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/2″ and 13 3/4″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the recoil pad, 13 5/8″ and 12 7/8″ to the back of the wood. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2″, drop at heel 2 3/8″. The pad has minor wear and is still fairly supple. Overall, the stocks are in Fine-plus condition as restored.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Professionally Restored
Bore Condition: The bores are bright with no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are only a few scattered handling marks and minor operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Excellent condition as restored.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. The triggers have been swapped, with the front trigger firing the left barrel, the rear firing the right barrel. The safety engages automatically when the action is opened. The barrels lock up with no play to the receiver. 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: This shotgun comes with a Winchester factory records letter which details the gun’s original configuration, indicates that the gun was produced for stock and was inspected in March of 1938.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 21 was their deluxe side by side shotgun. The shotgun’s initial production run from 1931 through 1959 yielded approximately 30,000 guns. Starting in 1960, they were produced by Winchester’s Custom Shop as made-to-order bespoke pieces. The Model 21 was Winchester’s effort to make a quality side by side shotgun to rival those of high-end makers such as Parker and Fox, and they very much succeeded! The standard grade came with select grade walnut stocks and ribbed barrels, and Skeet, Trap, Tournament and Duck grades were also available.
This example a standard grade shotgun made in 1938. It has a manual safety, selective ejectors, and a checkered pistol grip stock with a splinter forend. Intriguingly, the triggers have been swapped with the front trigger firing the left barrel, and the rear firing the right barrel. The 30” barrels are choked Full and Modified. The shotgun has been professionally restored and is in Excellent condition, retaining about 98% of its new metal finish, great bores, strong mechanics and very minor wear in the stocks. The Winchester Model 21 shotguns are very collectable, sought after for both their variety of configurations and their quality as a shooter. With its high condition and factory records letter, we expect the collectors and shooters to both take quite an interest in this gun. Please see our photos and good luck!