Winchester Model 21, Blue 28″ 16 Gauge / Ga. SxS Side By Side Shotgun & Letter, MFD 1948 C&R
SOLD
LSB#: 170616MS07
Make: Winchester
Model: 21
Serial Number: 6954
Year of Manufacture: Inspection finished late 1948
Gauge: 16 Gauge
Action Type: Side by Side
Markings: The upper tang is marked “6954”. The left side of the water table is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. MODEL 21 / WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO / NEW HAVEN, CONN.”. The forend hardware is marked “6954” The forend wood is marked “6954 C M”. The undersides of the barrels are marked “WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL” one “FULL” the other “MOD”. The left barrel flat is marked “6954”. The left side of the left barrel is marked “WINCHESTER – 16 GAUGE / 2¾ CHAM.”
Barrel Length: 28”
Choke: measuring the bore at the muzzle with calipers both are at about .660 which is about cylinder. Likely opened up at the time of restoration to shoot skeet.
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a front and a mid bead.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are post-production HIGH-GRADE wood. You must see the pictures, there are not words, we get lost in the figure. There are a few nicks in the stock, most will go unnoticed. The butt pad is not flush with the stock and needs to be finial fit in our opinion. The numbering under the stock looks good, but the factory letter makes no mention of the wood being anything other than standard. The LOP measures 13.5” from the front of the trigger to the back of the Pachmayer recoil pad. The DAC is 1 1/2” the DAH 2 5/16”. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Custom Restoration
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows a light surface loss at the points of contact and from normal use. Most are on the underside of the barrel covered by the forend. There are some thinning at the muzzle. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are Clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions Correctly. We have not fired this shotgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Factory Letter from Winchester photo’d in the auction.
Our Assessment: What a Great restoration. Sometimes we cringe at the thought that the gun is anything but original. Personally, the restoration is tasteful and done well. The Choke opened to about cylinder makes it a great option to shoot skeet. If you never take the forend off and show them the letter your friends will think you are shooting a high grade with deluxe wood. Finish fitting the recoil pad is about the only detail that needs to be taken care of. What is curious is how close the stock dimensions are to the factory letter. These are great solid shotguns and this shotgun is a pleasure to list and evaluate. We wish we could have taken it out.
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This shotgun can be transferred in California.
