Make: Winchester
Model: 21
Serial Number: 19114
Year of Manufacture: 1950
Gauge: 20 Gauge, 2 3/4” Shells
Action Type: Top Lever Break Side by Side (SxS) with Single Selective Trigger (mechanical) and Ejectors
Markings: The left barrel is marked "WINCHESTER - 20 GAUGE / 2 3/4 CHAM.". The bottom of each barrel is marked "WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL", the left is marked "FULL" and the right "MOD." (see Choke). The barrel flats have Winchester proof and inspection marks. The water table is marked with patent numbers and "MADE IN U.S.A. MODEL 21 / WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO / NEW HAVEN. CONN.". The serial number is marked on the top tang, barrel flat, forend iron, and inside of the forend.
Barrel Length: 28"
Choke: Marked Full and Modified, the constriction on the bores measure 0.014" on the left barrel, Light Modified, and 0.006" on the right barrel, Skeet, 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.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a beavertail forend, pistol grip, fluted straight comb, and Winchester ventilated orange rubber recoil pad. The stocks have some scattered light nicks and minor scratches. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14" from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad. The recoil pad has light wear and minor discoloration but is still fairly supple. Drop at comb is approximately 1 5/8", drop at heel 2 1/2". Overall, the stocks are in Very Good to Fine condition with added checkering to both sides of the cheeks and some other possibly re-chased checkering.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion in the bores. In this writer's opinion, the bores rate a 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in light wear on the bottom of the receiver. There is some light scratching on the guard. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the 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 previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes with a Cody Firearms Records Office records search confirming this gun's original configuration (Standard Grade, 28", Full/Mod, single trigger, ejectors), inspected February 21-March 7, 1950.
Our Assessment: The Model 21 was Winchester’s deluxe side by side shotgun, produced from 1939-1957 with about 116,000 of the scatterguns made. The Model 21 was Winchester’s “best shot” to rival the shotguns 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 Winchester Model 21 Standard Grade Shotgun was made in 1950 and is in Fine condition. It has a single selective trigger, ejectors, and 28" barrels chambered for 2 3/4" 20 gauge shells. The shotgun has seen some modification, with new checkering to the walnut stock, and the bores opened up from Full/Modified to Light Modified/Skeet. It retains 95% of its original blued finish, great bores, and strong mechanics, and should make for a fine upland bird gun. It would also make a wonderful addition to a Winchester collection.
Shotgun