Winchester 101 Quail Special, Sub-Gauge Tube Set 25 1/2″ 1 of 500 Over Under Shotgun, 410 28 20 12

SOLD FOR: $2,625.00
LSB#: 
190227MW03

Make: Winchester

Model: 101 Quail Special, 57 of 500

Serial Number: QS12-57E

Year of Manufacture: 1984-1986

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 ¾” & 3″ Shells with sub-gauge tubes for 20, 28, & .410

Action Type: Top-Break Over/Under Shotgun with Single Selective Trigger and Ejectors

Markings: The left side of the top barrel is marked “WINCHESTER Quail Special – 12 GAUGE – 2 3/4″ & 3″ / WINCHOKE T.M. EAST ALTON IL. U.S.A”. Each barrel has a Winchester Proof on the left just forward of the chamber with the top barrel marked “QUAIL 2” and the bottom “QUAIL 1″. The top of the rib is marked “QUAIL SPECIAL”. The right side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN JAPAN”. The bottom of the bottom barrel is marked “WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL”. The monoblock is marked “57”. The barrel lug is marked “12-3” in oval. The coin receiver is deluxe scroll engraved with a quail scene on the left, right and bottom. The bottom of the receiver is marked “WINCHESTER / QUAIL SPECIAL” around its quail scene. The top tang is marked “QS12-57E”. The water table has a “WP” in oval proof. The forend hardware is marked “57” and the inside wood is stamped “57”. Each tube set is marked either “BOT” or “TOP” and “57E” in electropencil near the front of the chamber and “57E” further forward on the tube.

Barrel Length: 25 1/2” With Ventilated Rib

Choke: This shotgun is threaded for WinChoke removeable chokes. Currently installed is Improved Cylinder over Skeet. Also included are Extra Full, Full, Improved Modified and Modified. The 20 and 28 gauge tube sets are choked Skeet. The .410 tube set is choked Modified.

Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a white bead in a base at the front of the rib and a smaller white mid-bead. The top of the rib is finely checkered to reduce glare.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece select walnut with fine, hand-cut checkering, fleur de lis accents, straight grip, straight comb and solid black rubber Winchester buttpad. The forend has a very subtle schnabel tip and finger grooves. The stocks have scattered minor scuffs and handling marks with a few more notable compressions on the comb at the front and just rear of center. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The drop at comb is about 1 1/2″, drop at heel is about 2 1/4″. LOP measures 13 7/8″ from the front of the gold trigger to the back of the buttpad. The buttpad has little to no wear, in about Fine-Excellent condition. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: The receiver and forend hardware have a coin finish and the barrels are blued. The ejectors are jeweled.

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The barrels have very light wear caused and concealed by the forend when assembled. Otherwise, the metal shows only light handling marks. The sub-gauge tubes show light operational wear from installation and removal. The screw heads are sharp. The pin heads are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. It has a single selective recoil operated trigger. We have not tested the ejectors with the sub-gauge tubes. Most of the ejector arms on the tubes move freely and smoothly, but some may require cleaning and lubrication to function as ejectors. 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: This shotgun comes in a plastic hard-sided case with gray felt interior which has two storage sections separated by a divider. One section holds the stocked action, barrel assembly with forend and has a lidded container for accessories including the extra chokes, a synthetic block and mallet for installing and removing the sub-gauge tubes, and Winchester choke wrench. The other section holds the sub-gauge tubes and has compartments for accessories. A silicone cloth and cleaning rod are included. The case has scattered light wear on the exterior and light wear on the interior from the contents. The divider previously had a velcro tab to keep it closed, the velcro has come off of the tab and the divider is now not retained during opening. Overall, the case is in about Very Good condition.

Our Assessment: The iconic Model 101 is a shotgun with legendary styling and handling and the unquestionable reliability you expect from Winchester firearms. The Quail Special features detailed engraving, white finished hardware, 25 1/2″ barrels, straight grip, and wood stocks with beautiful grain and fine, hand-cut checkering. This shotgun features white bead sights, jeweled ejectors and a single selective trigger. It comes with a set of sub-gauge tubes in 20, 28 and .410 which are numbered to the gun. We believe the tubes are Briley based on their design, but they are not marked with a manufacturer’s name. This example is in about Excellent condition with a few light marks in the stocks and light wear on the barrels from the forend which is concealed when the gun is assembled. If you’re looking for a quail or skeet gun, you won’t do much better than this fantastic four-gauge set. It would also make a fine addition to a Winchester collection as only 500 12 gauge Quail Specials were manufactured, this being the 57th. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This shotgun can be transferred in California.

Winchester 101 Quail Special, Sub-Gauge Tube Set 25 1/2" 1 of 500 Over Under Shotgun, 410 28 20 12
Winchester 101 Quail Special, Sub-Gauge Tube Set
25 1/2″ 1 of 500 Over Under Shotgun, 410 28 20 12