Another beautiful shotgun; Winchester Model 21.

Trey Veston

Trey Veston

Member
Joined
May 30, 2017
Messages
2,702
Location
Idaho/Washington border
Another one of my father's firearms that I inherited. He had this one on consignment at a shop in Northern Idaho when he passed last May, and I finally got it back today.

It's a Winchester Model 21 Skeet edition in 16ga. It is in excellent shape for it's age and use as a field gun. It was made in 1947 and has beautiful wood. There is no engraving and it appears to be completely stock. I plan on listing it for sale, but prices for these are all over the place.

It sat in the gun shop for months at a price of $8500. I did a search online and found similar models in the same or worse condition from $6500 to $13,500. Most are around the $10,000 mark. But I don't know what would affect the value, such as original ivory bead sights, or the age (pre-war vs. post-war), or the fantastic wood, etc. etc.

Anyone here know more about the Model 21 and what affects value?

20240224_000311.jpg

20240223_235941.jpg 20240224_000427.jpg

20240224_000004.jpg

20240224_000055.jpg

20240224_000023.jpg

20240224_000150.jpg

20240224_000242.jpg
 
Might be the most beautiful gun I've ever seen. Not shotgun- gun, as in firearm, as in all of them, ever.

I hate engraving, but love fine wood- and 16GA is perfect for that frame. Not to mention the Mod.21 is legendary in its own right and that one isn't a gussied-up show peice, just a super nice field gun.

Bravo sir, your Dad had impeccable taste. 👍
 
We need better photographs in natural lighting. Some photographs suggest this shotgun may be reblued. If that’s the case, this is why it isn’t selling, not to mention $8500 is certainly up there even for a non refinished 16 gauge Model 21.
 
I don't know any details of its worth.
All I know is that 21s are highly, highly sought after by shotgun collectors.
I would think a 16ga 21 would be a very valuable Winchester indeed.
I have a book around here somewhere that was written by a trapshooting friend of my father. It was circa 1980s. His name escapes my mind right now....but he was a college professor who was obsessed with all things Winchester.
I know this....I wouldn't sell that 21 for less than $30k until I found out for sure what it is worth.
 
A 16-gauge skeet model 21 fits my definition of "dream gun". I agree with Orpington....if that gun is actually "stock", it should have sold quickly at that price.

To the O.P.: something else that would help, would be listing the carefully measured stock dimensions: length of pull, drop at heel, and cast (if any).

Edit: I just re-read Orpington's post. Perhaps it was overpriced. Not a lot of the unengraved 21s come up for sale. Also, the firearms market nowadays is hard to predict. Prices are up, down, and sideways. I let a Norinco Tokarev in about 98% condition go for $350 last night, which is quite a bit lower than the prices I see on the internet.
 
Last edited:
I consider the Model 21 the finest American shotgun ever made. And maybe the finest shotgun of all. It would be a grail gun for me.
 
When I worked in a gun shop, a woman came in and said she was thinking of going skeet shooting and wondered if her shotgun would handle the steel target shot required in California. I said that depended on the gun. So, she opened her case and there was a stone mint 20 ga Skeet Model 21. I advised against it, even with the skeet chokes, and offered her any shotgun we had in stock in trade, including some high end Berettas and Cesar Guerinis. She declined, saying it was an inheritance from her father. "My sister got the Purdy."
 
I'm sure it has Skeet one and Skeet Two chokes. Winchester Skeet chokes like that are absolutely the best upland bird chokes in 12,16 and 20 gauge. I had a 21 in 16 gauge not as pretty as yours. In 16 Gauge modern ammo is really great , I used Fiocchi Golden Phesant in #6 for all upland Game until Ca. outlawed it.
 
Definitely a beauty, and the slight patina and absence of engraving only makes it more aesthetically appealing, IMO. I can't think of a nicer-looking gun. 👍

As others have said, and as you're obviously endeavoring to do, I'd research until I was comfortable that I understood what the current value might be.
 
Dream gun, I watched one not as nice as this one bring $5100 at auction last fall.
 
How do I tell if it has the original finish or not? The receiver and action looks like normal wear for an 80yr old cared for firearm, but the barrel looks a little too perfect.
 
Trey Veston said:
How do I tell if it has the original finish or not? The receiver and action looks like normal wear for an 80yr old cared for firearm, but the barrel looks a little too perfect.
Click to expand...
There are definitely a few here who could tell you with certainty. I am not one of those people, but I sold an old winchester .351 here years ago and even from not so great pics he was able to tell me the gun had been reblued. Some people just know what shades and richness in blueing color look like from vintage/manufacturer, etc.... online they say to look for roll marks and lettering to have rounded edges and other giveaways like refinished stocks, etc.... Apparently there are a few ways to tell but the best way I would think is to show it to an expert. It does seem like the reciever is a different shade of blue. But, no expert here. I wish I could remember the winchester expert C&R I sold to years ago. Some guys can just spot it from across the room.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Who buys Winchester 21's and what do they do with them?
Replies
18
Views
5K
Dave McCracken
D
Trey Veston
Is this a fair value for a high-end skeet shotgun?
Replies
6
Views
596
SCgman
S
I
  • Locked
Value of old Winchester Model 1897 pump shotgun
Replies
4
Views
20K
Red Cent
R
J
  • Locked
Beautiful Winchester Model 12's
Replies
3
Views
995
mswestfall
M
Conanred
  • Locked
First time purchase of a Winchester 1897 shotgun
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
Skidsteer1
S
Back
Top