Make: Winchester

Model: 21

Serial Number: 28544

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1953 (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 Single Selective Trigger and Selective Ejectors

Barrel Length: 30" Square-Post Vent-Rib & 26" Round-Post Vent-Rib

Choke: 30"-Both Full, both Fixed, 26"-Left WS-2, Right WS-1, Fixed

Sights / Optics: Each barrel set has a white bead at the front of the rib and a smaller white mid-bead. The top of the ribs are finely serrated to reduce glare.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with beavertail forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb and ventilated black rubber Winchester recoil pad. The stocks have a few scattered minor marks. There is a little discoloration at the top-front corners of the wrist. There are no chips or cracks, but there are a few filled open grain-lines. The LOP measures 14 1/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad, 13 3/8" to the back of the wood. Drop at comb is 1 1/2", drop at heel 2 3/4". Overall, the stocks are in Fine-plus condition as restored or replaced.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Refinished. The 30" barrels and forend iron are serial-matched to the receiver, the 26" barrel set is not original to the receiver.

Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion in the bores. In this writer's opinion, the bores rate about 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its current metal finish. There are some scattered tiny nicks and light handling marks. The action shows operational wear. There is infrequent faint erosion under the finish. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. The safety does not engage automatically when the action is opened, but functions properly when engaged manually. 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 1950s and has been beautifully restored. Its original 30” barrels are choked Full and an additional 26" Skeet barrel set is included. 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!