Make: Winchester

Model: 21

Serial Number: 6742

Year of Manufacture: 1935-1944

Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 3/4" Shells

Action Type: Side by Side, Single Selective Trigger Shotgun with Ejectors

Barrel Length: 28"

Choke: The original barrel set is choked Full and Modified. The additional barrel set was choked Full and Improved Modified, but has since been altered to WS-2 and WS-1, all fixed.

Sights / Optics: Each barrel set has a white bead in a base at the front of the rib and a smaller white mid-bead. The mid-bead on the skeet choked barrels is notably closer to the front than on the Full/Mod barrels.

Weight: Skeet barrels installed, 7 lb., 0 oz., Full/Mod 6 lb., 15 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with beavertail forend, pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered black Winchester buttplate. There is a nick at the left-front edge of the forend and a small bruise on the right of the comb at the front. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Drop at comb comb is approximately 1 1/2", drop at heel 2 1/4", consistent across both barrel sets. The LOP measures approximately 14" from the front of the trigger to the back of the plate. The plate has no notable wear with well defined checkering. The stocks rate in Fine-plus overall condition as factory refinished.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Most remaining finish Original, the original barrel set has been factory refinished and altered to Skeet chokes as noted above. All parts serial matching. The trigger guard has been replaced since the Winchester repair order in 1945.

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is a no erosion in the bores, just a little stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bores rate 9/10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. The Skeet barrel set has some thinning and light marks on the edges of the rib and minor wear from the forend, concealed when assembled. There are a few scattered minor marks. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. The safety does not return to 'safe' when the action is opened (factory alteration). 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: Included is the additional barrel set describe above and a Cody Firearms Records Office search.

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 standard grade 16 gauge shotgun made between 1935 and 1944. Its original barrels are choked Full and Modified while the factory-fit additional set was originally choked Full and Improved Modified, but were later altered to Winchester Skeet 1 and Skeet 2. We suspect that the gun went back to Winchester again for the choke alteration, it had the trigger guard engraved with initials on its first work order, but the guard is not marked. Both barrel sets are 28", so handling will be very similar between the two, however the placement of the mid-beads is ideal for their given chokes, closer together for the Skeet barrels and further apart for the tighter chokes.

The shotgun is in Fine-plus condition with 97% of its factory finish remaining. The stocks and bores show signs of light and responsible use and the gun still locks up tight with good mechanics. The Winchester Model 21 shotguns are very collectable, 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!