Winchester 21 factory records

[Jeremy Pinsly]

Gents,

I'm close to purchasing a Win 21. Is there a way to confirm the configuration of the gun as it left the factory?

I know I can purchase a factory record, but I don't know if there is a book or similar on-line info available, such as what we have with the Parker ID and Serialization book.

Any asssistance is appreciated.

[Rick Losey]

I believe Winchester records are at the Cody museum

http://centerofthewest.org/explore/firearms/firearms-records/

[Frank Childrey]

The Cody museum does keep records on the Model 21; however, if the gun has a 4-digit serial number/"patent applied for" those records--as I have been told--are no longer available.

[Rick Losey]

it mentions the which records are missing on the site

http://centerofthewest.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014_Winchester_SN-list.pdf


"the winchester model 21 shotgun
–
Most Final Inspection Reports are available from Serial Number 23 to 36373.
Order Sheet information is available for many Model 21s for an additional
fee. Order Sheets are available November 1938 production and later.
Model 21 records are incomplete. Not all serial numbers have records."


as with Parker records - record gaps exists for most old guns. They should have know we would all be so interested a hundred years later and paid more attention :cheers:

[charlie cleveland]

them cody letters were about a hundred dollar bill not long back...charlie

[Allen Peterson]

I have seen some pretty bad letters out of the Cody museum things like the dates reversed. Cody museum is a business and some of the people making up the letters seem to more about the fee than the accuracy of the letters. they are the source if you put a lot of stock in in them .Nobody's perfect but they appear a little slipshod to me.

[Frank Childrey]

My 20 gauge Model 21--#4420--is one fine example of the first ones produced. I can't find out anything on it. I'd post pictures if I weren't so daggone incapable. At any rate, the stock is ultra fancy, and I just think there is something going on with that particular gun. Otherwise, it has double triggers, extractors, splinter fore end, and the canoe paddle stock. Barrels are 28" bored M/F--.007/.021. I don't know . . . there's just something about it . . .

[John Dallas]

Have you checked with the folks at the Cody Museum?
This is from their website:
The Winchester Model 21 Shotgun – Most Final Inspection Reports
are available from Serial Number 23 to 36373.
Order Sheet information is available for many Model 21s for an additional
fee. Order Sheets are available November 1938 production and later.
Model 21 records are incomplete. Not all serial numbers have records.

[Frank Childrey]

The Cody Museum was the first place I looked. Perhaps I should have asked for a "final inspection report." I'll try again. Initially, the Museum told me that it had nothing on the gun. I also contacted Edward Ulrich; he said that the early records for the Model 21 had been destroyed either by fire or flood. Whatever the case, I still have one nice 20 gauge 21; I'd love to know more about it.