Winchester Model 21 Tournament 26″ 12 GA SXS Dbl Shotgun, 1933 C&R
SOLD FOR: $5,425.00
LSB#: 240124DH025
Make: Winchester
Model: 21 Tournament Grade
Serial Number: 8548
Year of Manufacture: circa 1933 (model 21s were not assembled and shipped in sequential order, this receiver was most likely made in 1933 but we do not know when it was assembled or shipped).
Caliber: 12 Gauge (both barrel sets)
Action Type: SxS Shotgun with Single Selective Trigger and Ejectors
Barrel Length: 26” skeet barrels and 30” alternate barrels.
Choke: The 26” barrel set is choked Skeet2 (left) and Skeet1 (right), both fixed. The 30” barrel set is choked Full (left) and Modified (right), both fixed.
Sights / Optics: The 26” barrel set’s front sight is a rear-facing white bead fixed to the rib above the muzzles. There is a smaller mid-bead on the rib. The rib is serrated to help reduce glare. The 30” barrel set’s front sight is a bead with a red rear face fixed to the rib above the muzzles. There is a smaller mid-bead on the rib. The top of the rib is serrated to help reduce glare.
Weight: 26” barrels installed: 7 lb., 4.7 oz. 30” barrels installed: 7 lb., 6.0 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece fleur-de-lis checkered walnut featuring a beavertail forend, a straight grip, a straight comb and a Pachmayr ventilated recoil pad. The wood shows mostly light and a few moderate nicks, scratches, compressions and some minor handling and storage marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad and 13 1/8” to the wood. The recoil pad shows signs for drying and age including a few broken vent ribs. The drop at the comb is 1 1/2”. The drop at the heel is 2”. The cast is neutral. The stocks are in Very Good Plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue and Bright
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: Both barrel sets are mostly bright. There is some stubborn fouling and light erosion in the bores. In this writer’s opinion, both barrel set bores each rate as an 8 or 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows only a few light nicks and handling marks scattered about. The screw heads are sharp to lightly tooled. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel lockup is tight with no play to the receiver. We did not fire this firearm. We have cleaned this firearm and performed a mechanic’s check but expect many will want to clean the firearm again depending on their standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes with the alternate 30” barrel set as described above, a suitcase-style case, two non-matching chamber plugs and a Cody Firearms letter verifying the original configuration and inspection date for this tournament grade shotgun.
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 21 was their deluxe side-by-side shotgun, made to compete with the likes of Parker and A.H. Fox in the American shotgun market. The shotgun’s initial production run from 1930 through 1957 yielded approximately 16,000 guns. The standard grade came with select grade walnut stocks and Skeet, Trap, Tournament and Duck grades were also available.
This is a Tournament grade 12 gauge shotgun made in 1933 and the Cody Firearms Museum indicate that it is in its original configuration with 26″ barrels choked WS-1 and WS-2, straight grip, single selective trigger and selective ejectors.
The shotgun is in Fine condition with 98% of its current finish remaining. The Winchester Model 21 shotguns are very collectible, sought after for both their variety of configurations and their quality as a shooter. This shotgun has more years left for the field, but would also be a neat addition to a Winchester collection missing the Model 21. Please see our photos and good luck in your bidding!
-J. Ren
