241 of 500 Winchester Model 23 Golden Quail .410 25.5″ SxS Shotgun 1987
SOLD FOR: $6,001.00
LSB#: LSB250512SG127
Make: Winchester
Model: 23 Golden Quail, 241 of 500
Serial Number: GQ410-241E
Year of Manufacture: 1987
Gauge: .410 Bore, 2 1/2? or 3″ Shells
Action Type: Side by Side Top Break with Ejectors and Single Selective Trigger
Barrel Length: 25 1/2”
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Modified, Both Fixed
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a white bead in a base at the front of the solid rib. The top of the rib is serrated in a wavy pattern to reduce glare.
Weight: 6 lb., 6 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with a beavertail forend, straight grip, straight comb, orange rubber Winchester buttpad. There is a very small hairline crack on the right cheek at the receiver. There are a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips. The LOP measures 14 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. Drop at comb is approximately 1 3/8?, drop at heel 2 1/4?. The cast is about neutral. The buttpad has some minor wear. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Coin
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 10/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is a little minor oxidation in the bottom tang. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejectors. The safety engages automatically on opening the action. The barrels lock up with no play to the receiver. The trigger is mechanical, not recoil operated. 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 Winchester Golden Quail luggage case .
Our Assessment: With so many classic designs, the Winchester collector has many options but few are as rare or beautiful as the Model 23 Golden Quail series. Produced in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987, five hundred Golden Quail series guns each were made in 20 GA, 28 GA, 12 GA and .410, respectively. The Model 23 is considered by many to be Winchester’s last great shotgun. This example is in Excellent condition with signs of little, if any use and looks great. Its beauty is matched by functionality, the engraved coin-finished receiver and beautiful walnut stocks paired with a mechanical single trigger and selective ejectors. This gun is truly a rare marriage of form and function. Just one of five hundred .410 Bore Model 23 Golden Quails made, this is not only a rare find for the dedicated collector, it should also be a joy to shoot. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
