In House Shipping:
Make: Winchester
Model: 21
Serial Number: 4913
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1933-1934 (the guns were not assembled and shipped in sequential order, 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: 28″
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Modified, Both Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a white bead at the front of the rib and a smaller white mid-bead. The top of the rib is finely serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, semi-pistol grip, straight comb and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The stocks have some minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a tiny crack at the rear of the top tang. The checkering has been chased or re-cut and is well defined. The LOP measures 14″ and 13″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear, mostly around the edges with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-plus condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bores rates about 9 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. 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 28” barrels are choked Full and Modified, as marked. The shotgun is in Very Good condition, retaining about 75% of its metal finish, strong mechanics, and minor wear in the refinished stocks. 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!