Here’s another addition to the Gallery of Great Guns. This double-barrel, side-by-side shotgun was auctioned off by James D. Julia Auctions in the spring of 2012.
RARE AND EXCEPTIONAL WINCHESTER MODEL 21 DELUXE SKEET GUN NO. 5 ENGRAVED WITH VENTILATED RIB. SN 13223. Cal. 16 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 26″ Barrels with raised, ventilated rib, match specifications in factory letter with Bradley red bead front sight and Winchester white metal middle sight. Bbl flats are stamped with “16 Gauge”, SN, patent information, and “2-3/4 Cham”. Bottoms of bbls are stamped “Winchester Proof Steel” “WS-1” and “WS-2”. Standard blued action is fitted with single selective trigger.
Action and bbls are engraved with classic pre-war number 5 engraving, as most certainly executed by Alden George Ulrich, with about 50% coverage of flowing scrollwork framing vignettes of dogs and game. Setter with bird in mouth is on bottom of action; pheasant on left; grouse on right side; rare vignette of pointer is on trigger guard bow. Nicely crotch figured American walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14″ over factory leather-faced open-sided red pad, with deluxe checkering pattern, checkered sidepanels and vacant gold oval on toe line. Matching beavertail forend has SN on iron, and rib between bbl channels. Bore diameter: left-.664, right -.667. Bore restrictions: left -.005, right -.002. Wall thickness: left -.029, right -.032. Drop at heel: 2-7/16″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz. LOP: 14″.
PROVENANCE: Cody Firearms Museum letter with specs along with build receipts and final inspection reports showing this gun made for P. A. Roper and dated 6/13/40.
CONDITION: Extremely fine. All specifications matching those on orig factory build information, and nearly all orig finish is remaining, with only a few minor marks on bbls. Sharp edges of action are silvering, blue on bottom beginning to thin slightly. Trigger guard is graying on edges and grip. Stock retains nearly all its orig finish beginning to rub through on flutes and top of comb, with a few minor marks. Checkering is only slightly worn. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors in time. Trigger works. A truly fine investment quality Winchester M21 sporting classic. SOLD FOR $34, 500
