Any Model 21 Experts?

[Mark Ray]

Just acquired a Model 21, 12 gauge, 30" Full / Mod, half pistol splinter. double trigger....serial # 2063. The tables on these are confusing, but this seems to be a 1931, first year gun?

The gun has a busted buttplate with a three inch hunk of toe missing, but otherwise in really nice condition. I will send it up to Mark Larson to repair the stock....

I know next to nothing about 21's, so any info welcomed!

[Randy G Roberts]

An early gun as evidenced by the style of the pistol grip and possibly by the serial number but. The but being that the frames for these gun were built and serial numbers affixed as built. From there they went to the bin where they remained until a frame was needed at which time one was taken with no regard to the number it was assigned. So it entirely possible that serial number say 10,000 was being built while number 8,000 was laying in the bin.

[John Dallas]

I've got two - a 12 and a two barrel set 20. I love 'em. Robert Kolesar has a copy of Schwing's M21 book for sale on the site now. Price seems good, and it's a fountain of knowledge

[Mills Morrison]

Looks very similar to mine. I love mine and hope you enjoy yours too.

[Reggie Bishop]

Don't know a lot about 21s but I do know that double trigger/splinter guns aren't found often and they are normally earlier guns. All model 21s are built like a tank and you can normally feel that bulk when you carry one in the field very long. I think more people shot trap and skeet with them than used them as field guns. My opinion only.

[Randy G Roberts]

Mark I actually had that same gun that I carried around at the Southern for a couple of hours trying to sell and then I got busy shooting and put it up. It had been refinished and restocked with modern wood though. Enjoy it, they can take almost anything you can get in them, real tanks ...

[Mark Ray]

A guy I know on another site just told me that the forend latch on this gun was only used for the first year, and part of the second year of production because shooters complained that under recoil, the little knurled rocker knob could be operated and cause the forend to detach.

I have never been much interested in 21's because they look a little clunky to me personally, and they seem really expensive generally, so I don't know if I will keep this gun or not. I bought it VERY right. Now if it had been a 16 or a 20, there might be a different story!

[Randy G Roberts]

A guy I know on another site just told me that the forend latch on this gun was only used for the first year, and part of the second year of production because shooters complained that under recoil, the little knurled rocker knob could be operated and cause the forend to detach.

I have never been much interested in 21's because they look a little clunky to me personally, and they seem really expensive generally, so I don't know if I will keep this gun or not. I bought it VERY right. Now if it had been a 16 or a 20, there might be a different story!

I believe that to be correct. Actually I think that style of latch is really cool and I have never had an issue with them. I have owned 2 of them over the years I think. Never shot either one of those a lot though.

[Frank Cronin]

I believe this is a pre-1933 Model 21 since the barrel markings are on the top of the barrels "Model 21 Winchester -12 gauge" and the other barrel with the patent dates. Around 1933 the barrel stamps were moved to the side of the barrel.

I have a similar gun three digit serial number. I love mine. Patterns wonderfully. And no.... it is not bulky either. It is my go to gun when I want to beat the NH boys in sporting clays. M21 double trigger / splinter forend have a cult like following.

[Karl Ferguson]

Mark,

My meat gun is a 1936 Mdl 21 20 Ga weighing 6lb 1oz from the factory. It has 26" barrels with factory Imp Cyl & Imp Mod chokes, DT, Splinter and ejectors. I haven't had the first problem with it so far.

I do agree with Reggie that the majority of 21's I've handled especially in a 20 ga have been a tad heavier than I want to carry at 6 3/4 - 7 lbs.

I hope you enjoy shooting some rounds thru your new 21.

Regards, Karl

[Bill Murphy]

Contrary to popular opinion, there are six pound 20 gauges and 7 pound 12 gauges. I have had both and have been trying to buy back the 20 gauge for about that many years. I bought it from Norman Strebe in Washington, D.C. for $650 and got greedy and doubled my money a few years later. It's probably the sweetest little double trigger 21 anyone could own.

[davidboyles]

Everybody is correct about the Tank feature and bank Vault. Model 21 was my first venture into fine SXS. Bought a Skeet Gun from Les Freer in Houston and had the custom Shop refinish when they were still around. I became friends with shop foreman Bruno Pardee. Complete job cost me $650. The gun had a vent rib with 26" tubes and pistol grip. Built in 1949. I shot everything from ducks to doves with it. I wanted it so bad I went to the bank and took out a personal loan to buy the gun. Damn I would give anything to have it back. Of course I traded it but back to Freer for a George Ulrich #6 engraved 20 ga skeet gun which I sold years later and tripled my money . Of course today I would have 5x my money. Why do we keep trading???? We obviously need Therapy.

[Mark Ray]

The 21 is on its way...probably going to get it freshened up...are there 21 specific restorers out there?

[Tom Jay]

Have 2 M21’s 12 and 20 gauge both 2 barrel sets and I’ve used Galazan and Gunsmithing, Ltd. (Southport, CT) for work including spot rebluing, cleaning and barrel fitting. Had Galazan convert manual safety to auto too. Top quality from both businesses and jobs completed before due date and to my satisfaction.

[Mark Ray]

Because the 21’s barrel are made of Chrome Moly steel, are they safe with steel shot??

[chris dawe]

Mark I may have a set in the shop ,but the stock is cut ...would you like me to dig it out ?

[Dean Romig]

A good wood man can replace that chip with a near matching piece of wood and make the repair about invisible.

If it were my gun I would go this route keeping it as original as possible.





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[Mark Ray]

Mark I may have a set in the shop ,but the stock is cut ...would you like me to dig it out ?


Hang tight, I have as usual maybe “jerked my knee” a little too quickly!!