Early 3-Digit Winchester Model 21 28″ F/M 12 GA SXS Double Shotgun 1932 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2800

LSB#: 210611TP19

Make: Winchester

Model: 21

Serial Number: 873

Year of Manufacture: 1932

Gauge: 12 GA, 2 3/4″

Action Type: Double Barrel SXS Breakopen with Dual Triggers and Extractor

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 upper tang and the top inside surface of the forend iron are marked “873”. The right side of the water table is marked with a circled “WP” proof. The underside of the left barrel is marked “WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL”, “FULL”, “(VP)” and with inspection marks. The flat on the underside of the left barrel is marked “873”. The underside of the right barrel is marked “MOD.”, “VP” in oval, “WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL” and with an inspection mark. The flat on the underside of the right barrel is marked “15”. Each barrel flat has an ovalled “WP” proof.

Barrel Length: 28″

Choke: The left barrel is choked Full, the 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: 7 lb., 4.9 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, pistol grip, straight comb and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The stocks have light handling wear with a few light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 7/8″ and 13″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear at the heel and toe with well defined checkering and lettering. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2″, drop at heel 2 3/8″. The cast is about neutral. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Most remaining finish is original, worn areas show treatment with cold blue.

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright with no erosion. There is some stubborn fouling in the bores.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is light finish wear scattered throughout, showing treatment with cold blue. There is some scattered minor erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: None.

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 21 was their deluxe side by side shotgun. The shotgun’s initial production run from 1930 through 1957 yielded approximately 116,000 guns. 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. The standard grade came with select grade walnut stocks and ribbed barrels, and Skeet, Trap, Tournament and Duck grades were also available. This is a standard grade shotgun made in 1932 and is quite early in production, one of the first 1,000 made. It has a manual safety, extractor, dual triggers, and a checkered pistol grip stock with a splinter forend. The 28” barrels are choked Full and Modified. The shotgun is in about Very Good condition, showing wear consistent with use in the field. Most of the worn areas on the metal have been treated with cold blue and the stocks are still in great shape. Chambered for 12 gauge, it should make for a versatile field gun. That said, the Winchester Model 21 shotguns are very collectable, sought after for both their variety of configurations and their quality as a shooter. We expect the collectors and shooters to both take quite an interest in this gun. Please see our photos and good luck!