Winchester Model 21 Tournament Skeet 26″ 12 GA SXS Double Shotgun, 1935 C&R
SOLD FOR: $4,025
LSB#: 230930MT051
Make: Winchester
Model: 21 Tournament Grade
Serial Number: 2573
Year of Manufacture: The included Cody Firearms Records Search indicates that the gun was inspected in March, 1935.
Gauge: 12 GA, 2 3/4?. Briley Sub-Gauge tubes are included for use with 20 Gauge and 28 Gauge.
Action Type: Double Barrel Side by Side Shotgun with Single Selective Trigger and Ejectors
Barrel Length: 26″
Choke: The 12 gauge barrels are fixed-choked Winchester Skeet-1 (Right) and Winchester Skeet-2 (Left). Wrenches were not included for the sub-gauge tubes which are threaded for Briley chokes, by diameter they appear to be Skeet chokes.
Sights / Optics: There is a white bead in a base at the front of the rib and a smaller metal mid-bead.
Weight (sans pad):
No tubes installed: 7 lb., 1.2 oz.
20 Gauge tubes installed: 7 lb., 11.8 oz.
28 Gauge tubes installed: 7 lb., 12.8 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with beavertail forend, straight grip, straight comb and checkered bare butt (a Pachmayr leather slip-on buttpad is included). There is a repaired chip-loss in the left of the forend at the top-rear. The stocks have a few small nicks and minor scratches. There are a few more notable marks around the forend latch assembly, finished-over. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 14? from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt. The butt shows light wear with a few nicks and generally well defined checkering. With the pad installed, the LOP measures 14 3/4″. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2?, drop at heel 2? (with the pad removed). Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: The barrels’ finish appears Original. The forend iron and receiver have been Professionally Restored
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion in the bores. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate a 10 out of 10.
The sub-gauge tubes’ bores are mostly bright. There is no erosion, but there is infrequent stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the sub-gauge bores rate 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The barrels have some wear from the forend, concealed when assembled. There is light finish wear and some faint surface oxidation on the side of the right barrel at the chamber. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear. The barrel markings are crisp with raised edges, the receiver markings have soft edges, and the forend iron serial marking is incomplete. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine condition as restored.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safety does not engage automatically when the action is opened but functions properly when engaged manually. 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 in a luggage case with Winchester label on the interior of the lid, zipper canvas cover for the case, two-piece cleaning rod with cleaning accessories, snap-caps and oiler bottle, the Briley sub-gauge tubes, Briley warranty and information cards, and a Winchester factory records letter. The letter indicates that this gun was built as a Tournament Grade 12 gauge with 26″ barrels choked Skeet 1 and Skeet 2, single trigger, selective ejector, straight grip, 14″ LOP, 1 1/2″ and 2″ drops, weight of 7 lb., 3 oz. and that the gun was made for stock. The gun’s inspection started March 18, 1935 and finished March 21, 1935.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 21 was their deluxe side by side shotgun, made to compete with the likes of Parker and A.H. Fox in the American shotgun market. The shotgun’s initial production run from 1930 through 1957 yielded approximately 16,000 guns. The standard grade came with select grade walnut stocks and Skeet, Trap, Tournament and Duck grades were also available.
This is a Tournament grade 12 gauge shotgun made in 1935 and it comes with Briley sub-gauge tube sets for use of 20 and 28 gauge shells. The records provided from Winchester indicate that it is in its original configuration with 26″ barrels choked WS-1 and WS-2, straight grip with a 14″ LOP, single selective trigger and selective ejectors.
The shotgun is in Fine condition as partially refinished with 95% of its current finish remaining. The stocks and receiver have been professionally restored while the barrels retain their original blue finish. In addition to the sub-gauge tubes, a Winchester factory records letter is included as well as a nice luggage case for storage and transport. The Winchester Model 21 shotguns are very collectable, sought after for both their variety of configurations and their quality as a shooter. This shotgun has more years left for the field, but would also be a neat addition to a Winchester collection missing the Model 21. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
