Winchester Model 21 30″ Full/Mod 12 GA SXS Double Barrel Shotgun, 1931 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2775

LSB#: 230920JF009

Make: Winchester

Model: 21

Serial Number: 4004

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1931 (the guns were not assembled and shipped in sequential order, this receiver was most likely made in 1931 but we do not know when it was assembled or shipped).

Gauge: 12 GA, 2 3/4? Shells

Action Type: Double Barrel SXS Breakopen with Dual Triggers and Selective Ejectors

Barrel Length: 30?

Choke: Left: Full, Right: Modified, Both Fixed

Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the front of the rib. The top of the rib is finely serrated to reduce glare.

Weight: 7 lb., 7.4 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, pistol grip, straight comb and serrated brown rubber Mershon buttpad. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is handling wear in the grip areas and finish wear on the comb. There is crazing and pooling in the finish behind the grip. The LOP measures 13 5/8? and 12 3/4? from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the pad, 13 1/8? and 12 1/4? to the back of the wood. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2?, drop at heel 2 3/8?. The pad has scattered wear with well defined serrations. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. The right barrel has a tiny dent, barely visible in the bottom of the bore about 4 3/4″ from the muzzle. There is no erosion, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rates 7 or 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered finish wear consistent with handling and carry in the field, primarily on the bottom-front of the receiver, the barrels over the forend, and in the guard. There is some other scattered more minor wear, small nicks, scratches, and infrequent minor surface oxidation. As noted above, there is a tiny dent in the bottom of the right barrel about 4 3/4″ from the muzzle. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with a useable slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. 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 1931 through 1959 yielded approximately 30,000 guns. Starting in 1960, they were produced by Winchester’s Custom Shop as made-to-order bespoke pieces. 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, and they very much succeeded! The standard grade came with select grade walnut stocks and ribbed barrels, and Skeet, Trap, Tournament and Duck grades were also available.

This example was made in the 1930s and looks like it was put to its intended use. It has a manual safety, selective ejectors, and evidence of being carried in the field over the last 90 years. The 30” barrels are choked Full and Modified. The shotgun is in Very Good condition, retaining about 75% of its metal finish, strong mechanics, and honest wear in the refinished stocks, though there is a tiny dent in the right barrel. The Winchester Model 21 shotguns are very collectable, sought after for both their variety of configurations and their quality as a shooter. With this gun’s condition, 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