Winchester Model 21 30″ Full/Mod 12 GA SXS Double Barrel Shotgun, 1931 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3826
LSB#: 230120TS009
Make: Winchester
Model: 21
Serial Number: 1745
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1931 (the guns were not assembled and shipped in sequential order, this receiver was most likely made in 1931 but we do not know when it was assembled or shipped).
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”. The bottom of the left barrel is marked “WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL / FULL” and with inspection marks, the bottom of the right barrel has “MOD. / WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL” and the same inspection marks. Each barrel flat has an ovalled “WP” proof and an inspection mark, the left flat is marked “1745”. The upper tang and the top inside surface of the forend iron are marked “1745”. The right side of the water table is marked with a circled “WP” proof.
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: 8 lb., 0.3 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with beavertail forend, pistol grip, straight comb and orange rubber Winchester buttpad. The stocks have only a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 3/8? and 13 1/2? from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the pad, 13 1/2? and 12 5/8? to the back of the wood. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2?, drop at heel 2 1/2?. The pad has minor wear and is still fairly supple. Overall, the stocks are in Excellent condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. The left barrel has a little minor pitting and stubborn fouling at the muzzle-end. The right barrel has a small dent about 3″ from the muzzle which is visible in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate a 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. The guard and forend iron are mostly worn to white, appearing to have had their finish removed intentionally. There is some edge-thinning, most notable at the bottom edges of the receiver. The controls show handling wear with some minor oxidation on the lever. There are some scattered minor nicks and scuffs with one more notable nick on the right barrel about 3″ from the muzzle. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. 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 copy of Ned Schwing’s book “Winchester’s Finest: The Model 21”.
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 was made in the 1930s and looks great for its age. It has a manual safety, selective ejectors, and a new set of select walnut stocks with a beavertail forend. The 30” barrels are choked Full and Modified. The shotgun is in Very Good condition, retaining the great majority of its metal finish, strong mechanics and very minor wear in the new stocks, though there is a minor dent in the right barrel. The Winchester Model 21 shotguns are very collectable, sought after for both their variety of configurations and their quality as a shooter. With this gun’s condition, we expect the collectors and shooters to both take quite an interest in this gun. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
