Early Winchester Model 21 28″ MOD/IC 12 GA SXS Double Shotgun, Ca. 1931 C&R

SOLD FOR: $3,051.00

LSB#: LSB250608WJ027

Make: Winchester

Model: 21

Serial Number: 1728

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1931

Gauge: 12 GA, 2 3/4″

Action Type: Double Barrel SXS Breakopen with Single Selective Trigger (mechanical) and Ejectors

Barrel Length: 28″

Choke: The left barrel is choked Modified, the right Improved Cylinder, both fixed.

Sights / Optics: Thre is a white bead in a base at the front of the rib. The top of the rib is finely serrated to reduce glare.

Weight: 7 lb., 12.7 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with beavertail forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb and orange rubber Winchester buttpad. The stocks have minor handling wear with a few scattered light marks. There is a small, nicely repaired chip at the top-front of the wrist to the left of the top tang. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 7/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad, 13″ to the back of the wood. The pad has light wear and minor discoloration. 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 as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blued, the water table and barrel flats are jeweled.

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is infrequent light erosion and minor pitting, mostly just in front of the chambers. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 7-8/10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There is minor finish wear, mostly on the barrels at the chambers. There are some minor nicks, scuffs and small scratches. The receiver’s finish has a slight plum hue. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine condition as refinished.

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 ca. 1931 and is quite early in production, one of the first 2,000 made. It has a manual safety, ejectors, single selective triggers, and a checkered pistol grip stock with a beavertail forend. The 28” barrels are choked Modified and Improved Cylinder. The shotgun is in about Fine condition as refinished, retaining the great majority of its new finish, good bores and strong mechanics. The stocks have also been refinished, so this gun looks great for its age. 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!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud