Winchester Model 21 Field Grade 21-B Stocks, Blue Solid Rib 28” 20 Gauge Pre-WWII Side by Side SXS Shotgun, MFD 1936 C&R

SOLD FOR: $4,159

LSB#: 160205JC04

Make: Winchester

Model: 21 Field Grade with Fancy Stocks

Serial Number: 6150

Year of Manufacture: 1936 (Proofhouse.com)

Gauge: 20, 2 ¾” Shells

Action Type: Side by Side, Dual Non-Selective Trigger Shotgun with Ejectors

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MODEL 21 – WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK / 20 GAUGE / MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN – PATENTS PENDING-“; as a note, these markings are faded and at first glance it appears the shotgun is reblued until you look at the markings on the underside of the barrel and flats of the lug; the rib details are highly defined; we have never seen a Model 21 come through the shop that we did not think was refinished off the bat (and are later confirmed to NOT be refinished), it appears this one is no different; we do not believe the shotgun has been refinished but it is possible that it has been and the job was done to a professional degree; please see our picture set for full details, especially the markings portion near the end of the set. The underside of the right barrel is marked “WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL / OO / FULL (VP)” with a triangle and “MOD (VP) / WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL” with another triangle and a lightly struck “W”. The underside flat is marked with two circled “WP” proof marks and “6150 / 16 / B”. The underside of the ejectors, visible when not in the seated position, are marked “688”, corresponding with the marks on the rear of the barrel set which read “688 / A”. The top of the forend bracket is marked “6150”. The frame’s water table is marked with a circled “WP” proof, the upper tang is marked with the serial number and “SAFE”. The back of the recoil pad is marked “Pachmayr” with a basket-weave design. The grip cap appears to be made from pewter and has a wreathed design.

Barrel Length: 28”, with Solid Rib

Choke: Right barrel: Modified, Left barrel: Full

Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a steel bead, screwed into the solid rib. The top of the rib is milled in a wave-like pattern for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are fancy black walnut “21-B” special option stocks. The forend has fine wrap-around checkering with Fleur de Lis accents in the smooth portions; the forend shows scattered scuff and compression marks, some of which are in the checkers. The exterior wood to metal fit is good, but the bracket shows a gap in fit on the underside, which is not visible when installed to the shotgun. The butt stock has flank checkering on the pistol grip, which extend to the flanks of the stock with Fleur de Lis patterns. The grip has a non-magnetic cap that looks to be pewter, which has a wreath-like design. The wrist has cracks on both sides, which are un-filled. The wood portions do not move when augmented. The stock shows scattered scuff and scratch marks, some of which are of moderate depth. The wood to metal fit on the butt stock and metal is very good, with only light gaps. The drop at comb is 1 5/8”, the drop at heel is 2 3/8”. The LOP measures 13 ½” from the front of the rear trigger to the back of the recoil pad and 14 3/8” from the front of the forward trigger to the back of the pad; the recoil pad is a basket-weave pattern Pachmayr brand solid rubber piece with a black spacer, showing intentional grind marks at the toe, with wear through some of the details at the upper portion; the material is semi-supple and there are marks on the flanks that correspond with some of the marks in the wood. The stocks rate in about Fair to Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: The markings on top of the barrel are faded and at first glance it appears the shotgun is reblued until you look at the markings on the underside of the barrel and flats of the lug; the rib details are highly defined; we have never seen a Model 21 come through the shop that we did not think was refinished off the bat (and are later confirmed to NOT be refinished), it appears this one is no different; we do not believe the shotgun has been refinished but it is possible that it has been and the job was done to a professional degree; please see our picture set for full details, especially the markings portion near the end of the set.

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

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 93% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows some scattered marks on the barrel, frame and trigger guard. The upper tang, lower tang, rib edges, safety selector and barrel release lever have thinning at the edges from handling and normal use. The top right of the frame at the breech has some pin prick surface erosion and there are some dings in the details of the rib, please see our picture set for full detail. The markings on top of the barrel set are faded and gave us the impression that the item was refinished, but the markings on the underside of the barrel and underside flat are crisp. The details of the metal line tell us that the shotgun is not refinished and there are a few marks under the finish that give the opposite impression. The left barrel, at the breech, shows a portion of metal that does not mate up with the frame and has bluing over it, which confuses us further on the originality of the blued finish. The screw heads have highly serviceable slots that show a small amount of screwdriver tooling. The markings are faded on top of the barrel but are crisp underneath and on the underside lug flats. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Good Plus condition and would rate higher but for the cracked Wrist and faded markings on top of the barrel set.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The shotgun has dual non-selective triggers, an automatic safety and ejectors. The shotgun weighs about 7 pounds. 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: This is a pre-WWII Winchester Model 21 Field Grade with fancy stocks, a 28” barrel choked Full and Modified, with ejectors and dual non-selective triggers. The bluing is a bit of a mystery to us; the letters on top of the barrel are faded as if the finish was redone, however the other markings tell a different story; the lines of the metal are sharp but for a few examples, with some marks that appear to be under the finish. We encourage bidders to review our photographs before bidding to affirm our opinion, we wish to be up front with these anomalies. The stocks show scattered light to moderate depth marks with a deep unfilled crack at the wrist of the butt stock, lowering the NRA condition to Good Plus. All said and done, this shotgun is very attractive and should catch the eye of collectors and hobbyists alike.

Winchester Model 21 Field Grade 21-B Stocks, Blue Solid Rib 28” 20 Gauge Pre-WWII Side by Side SXS Shotgun, MFD 1936 C&R
Winchester Model 21 Field Grade 21-B Stocks, Blue Solid Rib 28” 20 Gauge Pre-WWII Side by Side SXS Shotgun, MFD 1936 C&R