Winchester’s Model 21 is of the baby brother of American double barrel shotguns. Launched in 1931, it hit the market well a couple years into the Great Depression and just after business at Parker, L.C. Smith, and Fox had started to slip.
By the time Winchester finished up standard production of their flagship side-by-side, the M21 would be the only high-quality side-by-side made in the US. Today, many people believe it was the best one ever mass produced in this country.
If you agree, this 16 gauge Model 21 may interest you. Its in a rare configuration and it appears to be in excellent shape. This online auctions ends Saturday, 7/20 @ 10:00:00 PM ET. So if you like it, bid on it now.
Here’s more about it from the seller:
Lettered Winchester Model 21 16 gauge Skeet Grade: Serial # 13146 (having final inspection of July 30, 1948) with 26″ two bead vent rib barrels choked WS-1 & WS-2 with excellent bores, single select trigger, selective ejectors, non-automatic safety, beavertail forearm and beautiful pistol grip stock with no cracks or chips having a 13 5/8″ LOP, 1 3/4″ DAC & 1 5/8″ DAH all as per enclosed Winchester archive letter in very good condition. It weighs in at 7 lb. Action locks up “21” tight and the top lever is to the right. The vent rib was special order as all Skeet guns became standard with raised matted ribs in 1940. Also in 1947 28″ barrels became standard, so this 21 has special order 26″ barrels.
The Skeet Grade stock standard dimensions were 1 9/16 DAC & 2″ DAH. Special order dimensions on this Winchester as listed above. Only exception to the letter is the Hawkins pad (Winchester offered many pads from outside vendors during the 1930s & 40s) instead of listed Winchester pad on this SxS, but this could have easily been changed at any time by request of the customer or for supply reasons. The pad looks like a factory installation to me and the LOP is spot on to the letter.