Winchester Model 21

[James L. Martin]

Can't wait to try out a new to me Winchester Model 21. It's a 12ga that's under 7 lbs ,6lb 14oz. Light for a 12ga 21. 26" cyl & mod ,engraved by Nick Kusmit in 21-4 pattern.

[todd allen]

Nice early M 21!

[Randy G Roberts]

Nice gun James. I can't see it clearly but this one appears to have the early style forend release that Winchester thought should be done away with. I have always liked that release. Cool gun.

[James L. Martin]

Yes it has the early release, I have no problem with them,I have shot this gun and 1 other with early release , no problem.

[James L. Martin]

Here's a look at the early release

[James L. Martin]

Went hunting today with the 21 only had a shot a a woodcock and it fell.

[Bobby Cash]

Very nice with NK engraving.
I'd imagine it's an early 30's gun.
Do you suppose it was engraved then or perhaps at a latter date?

[Joe Graziano]

Outstanding Model 21 for the field! Beautiful gun.

[Frank Srebro]

Nice gun James, thanks for posting. A question since I like 21's myself and have never seen a M21 factory original "Cylinder" choke. Are your barrels stamped Cyl and Mod, and if so, does the Cylinder choke have zero, or a few thou of constriction?

[James L. Martin]

Frank, yes it's stamped cyl & mod , it's. 000 & .012 I also have a 20ga model 21 marked cyl & mod it's. 001 & .007.

[Dave Noreen]

Workers must have reached into parts bins and grabbed what they needed to build a gun. My 1953 vintage 12-gauge Skeet Gun has that early-style forearm release roller. My 1941 vintage 16-gauge Skeet Gun has the later style.

[James L. Martin]

Model 21 serial numbers are all over the place but that is very late for the early style release. If you want 21 info the best source I know of is the book on 21's by Ned Schwing even though it's 30 years old.

[Dave Noreen]

I actually bought the Ned Schwing Model 21 book back during the 34 year gap I didn't own one. About $25 on the used book rack at my local pawn shop. Probably a better buy than any of the guns!!

[John Dallas]

Used hard cover copies of the book are about $250 on ebay

[Bill Murphy]

Cylinder and modified is actually a fairly common combination for prewar double trigger 26" 21s. Prewar Model 24s were also commonly bored cylinder and modified in 26" models. The Model 24 26" guns were changed to improved cylinder and modified after the war.

[Randy G Roberts]

Workers must have reached into parts bins and grabbed what they needed to build a gun. My 1953 vintage 12-gauge Skeet Gun has that early-style forearm release roller. My 1941 vintage 16-gauge Skeet Gun has the later style.

Dave it just became "Special Order" or possibly "Custom". All kidding aside I like them over the typical roll style. No real solid reason really.

[Dave Noreen]

Up through the November 1932 Winchester catalog the chokes offered were -- full choke, modified choke and cylinder bore. The 1933 Winchester catalogs added improved cylinder, improved modified, WS-1 and WS-2. The Model 21 Skeet Gun first appears in the 1933 catalog in Tournament Grade, Trap Grade and Custom Built Grade. I have a Winchester Skeet brochure that discusses 1932 wins with the Model 21 Skeet Gun and describes it bored improved cylinder in both barrels?!?

[Joe Graziano]

My father has a 16 marked cyl/IC.

[Bill Murphy]

I had a 12 gauge skeet gun bored the same way. It is a better choice of chokes than WS1 and WS2 because the WS1 muzzle is sometimes paper thin and can be easily damaged. The constrictions of cylinder and improved cylinder are very near the skeet chokes.

[James L. Martin]

Winchester chokes tend to be more open than most.

[Bill Murphy]

This is why the common apology from an honest seller, "Full and modified, but measures improved cylinder." Then a bargain is born. Such a gun is surely original, not bored out as the seller implies.

[James L. Martin]

Got a Catskill grouse with the model 21 today , so far can't seem to miss with it. Shot at 2 woodcock and a grouse with it so far and got them all. Knock on wood.

[James L. Martin]

I have always shot 21's good , they may not have the look and grace of a Parker but they are shooter's.

[John Dallas]

Reached into the back of my safe and got out my 30' M21 (F & Mod) for a round of clays today. Haven't shot it in quite a while, but it did fine (better than me)