Winchester 101 Pigeon Grade 20GA Straight Hand Over Under Shotgun 1974-1987

SOLD FOR: $2,575.00

LSB#: LSB250729TC042

Make: Winchester

Model: 101 Pigeon Grade

Serial Number: PK277110E

Year of Manufacture: 1974-1987

Gauge: 20 Gauge,3” Shells

Action Type: Top-Break Over/Under Shotgun with Single Selective Inertial Trigger and Ejectors

Markings: The left side of the top barrel is marked “WINCHESTER -20 GAUGE- 3” / EAST ALTON IL. U.S.A.”. The top of the rib is marked “WINCHESTER”. The right side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN JAPAN”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL”.  The barrel lug is marked “277110 / 20-3”. The silver receiver is engraved. The bottom of the receiver is marked “WINCHESTER”. The top tang is marked “PK277110E”. The forend hardware is marked “277110” and the inside wood is stamped “7110”. The engravings on the side of the receiver are a pigeon (Left) and hummingbird (Right).

Barrel Length: 25.5”, Vent-Rib

Choke: Top Barrel: Improved Cylinder, Bottom Barrel: Modified, Both Fixed

Sights / Optics: There is a white bead in a base at the front of the rib and there is a small white bead at its mid-length. The rib is finely serrated for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture set is a two-piece checkered walnut with semi-beavertail forend with finger shelf. The stock is a checkered straight hand, with fluted straight comb and a red rubber buttpad. The forend shows little to no handling wear. The buttstock has little to no handling wear. There is hardened oil left on both sides of the stock. There are no chips or cracks. LOP measures 14″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in about Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Coin

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are mirror bright and show no erosion. Both of the barrels have plastic fouling present. In this writer’s opinion the bores rate at a 9 out of 10. 

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The barrels have minor rub wear from the forend, concealed when assembled. The action shows minor operational wear again concealed when assembled. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. The barrels lock up with no play. The safety does not return to safe when the action is opened, but functions properly when engaged manually. 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 felt lined case in about Excellent condition.

Our Assessment: This Winchester 101 Pigeon Grade presents as a well-preserved example of the model with attractive coin-finished receiver engraving and original blue barrels. The twin 25.5″ vent-rib barrels are mirror bright with only plastic fouling and rate 9/10 for bore condition. The shotgun retains approximately 98% of its metal finish with only minor rubs concealed when the forend is installed. The two-piece checkered walnut furniture is in Excellent condition with crisp checkering, no chips or cracks, and a comfortable 14″ LOP. Chokes are fixed (top improved cylinder / bottom modified) and the rib is finely serrated with white bead sights; overall cosmetics and fit/finish are consistent with a Very Fine example.

For both shooter and collector this 101 is a strong offering: excellent bores and wood, handsome original finish, and sound lockup. If you want a refined, low-recoil, excellent-handling shotgun that’s both a very capable field/clays gun and a handsome collectible, this Winchester 101 Pigeon Grade is a very strong pick. Please see our photos and good luck with your bid! -N.P