Winchester model 21 at Spokane gun show
 

Dave: What did you think of the Win 21 at the show. I believe the gentleman said it was a Duck gun but it wasn't marked that. Thomas

I ask this question on a new post because Dave Noreen had mentioned this gun in other fine doubles that he had spotted it at the Spokane show.I believe the gentleman that had it for sale was Jules.I didn't want to hijack that so started new one. Thomas

I saw serial number 79, a canoe paddle stock slim forearm gun with a single trigger. I had no interest, and didn't even pick it up, so I don't even know if it had ejectors or not. Looked like a well used, but not too badly abused old gun. The Model 21 Duck Gun didn't appear until the 1940 Winchester catalogues. No. 79 might have had the optional 3-inch chambers, but I'd want to see a Cody letter prove it left New Haven with 3-inch chambers!!

Dave: He did sell the gun because he came over to my table and looked at a Parker 20 ga. Early on Friday and said as soon as he sold his 21 he would come get the Parker and he did. I wished I could have met you,you may have seen my table with alot of doubles and extra parts. I met a really great guy that has a huge collection of Parkers and I ask him if he belonged to the Parker Collectors Assoc. And he said no but said he is thinking of joining. I told him of all the advantages and being able to buy and sell on the forum and Parker pages mag. And that seem to peak his interest.Thomas

Thomas , While Hunting the other day I ran into a young Game Commission Officer which was a bit surprised to find me carrying a 135 Year Old Damascus Barreled Hammer Gun and we talked a while and it seems his Grand father has a Parker ,he wasn't sure of the grade but he really like the gun , I had mentioned all the same things to him about getting on our site and seeing how enjoyable and informative it and how welcoming everyone is ,I can't imagine owning Parker Guns and not being a member in the PGCA !

For a time I owned a 12 ga. M21 #98, 30" extractor gun with canoe paddle stock and usual slim forend.

Mr. Stephen Farfaro, one of our friends, has been hawking #81 for a while. Two three digit guns recently sold at Alderfer's auction. Kevin and I displayed #822 in our "Model 21" display at the Baltimore Show two years ago. Canoe paddle Model 21s have taken on a bit of cult status in the last couple of years.

Bill: I mentioned a 16 Ga. 3 digit Model 21 splinter forend at the Boise show awhile back. This canoe paddle 21 at the Spokane show is resting in the same safe.Thomas

Funny... They call them duck gun? I did not know it was that they were used to paddle with and shoot...HMMmmmm SXS Ohio

Thomas, I still have a couple of canoe paddle 21s. One is #822, a near mint gun that has never been in the field. The other one is a rare single trigger ejector gun with canoe paddle buttstock and splinter forend, a variation that had a very small venue. I grew up as a teenager with modern Model 21s, never handled a canoe paddle until I was in my forties. Now I prefer them for field use.

Bill: It sounds like you had a great opportunity as a youth to hunt with some fine doubles.I only say this with envy but the only 21 I hunted with in my younger days may have been the 21 dollars in my pocket, if i was lucky. Thomas

i mite have had 2 bits and a box of 22 shorts in my pocket..them winchester 21 s have always been outa my reach....in fact have never seen a 21 in person or held one..charlie

Can someone post a picture of a canoe paddle 21 please. I have never seen one.

#4552. 20 gauge, 28", Double Trigger, "Canoe Paddle". 6 lbs
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps227ba8de.jpg

I like the early model 21 Winchesters if I bought one for myself I would get the early style, but I prefer double triggers and have no preference for extractor/ejectors. The only thing the later ones have on the early ones is the wood is usually of higher quality and of nicer shape. Charlie you are welcome to shoot my 21 anytime I do not think my dad would mind.

Thomas, I dreamed about Model 21s from the time I was given a 1955 Winchester catalog when I was ten years old. A few years later, I was a starving college freshman when my Dad asked me about two guns that were listed in the classifieds of the Washington Post. A gentleman was offering a pair of 21s in an oak and leather Purdey trunk case for $1000. I told my Dad that Model 21s in standard grades were no longer being made and the new Custom Grades were $1000 each. We decided to go and look at them. They were a brand new 20 gauge 28" Skeet and a brand new 12 gauge 28" Field Grade. The two gun Purdey case was in very good shape also. The seller said they were his parents' guns and he had split up the Purdeys and kept the case. My Dad was smitten with the guns and asked if I could pay for one if he paid for the other. I told him I could just about cover it, so we went home with them. He took the 20 and I just about wore the blue off the 12 over the next few years of bird hunting and clay target shooting. I still have the 20, which has not been fired more than a few hundred times and is still new. It was part of my and Kevin McCormack's excellent Model 21 display at Baltimore in 2013.

Bill: Thanks for sharing that story with us. I only wish I could have done something like that with my Dad and still have the gun. Thomas

Bill and Kevin - Can you bring the Model 21 display out again in 2015? I would like to take a close look at it and get a little schooling. Billy

Billy, in decades of creating double gun, mostly Parker related, annual displays at Baltimore, we have never repeated a display. Kevin may have some pictures of the 2013 award winning display.

:corn:

Sorry Bill, I didn't know the history - you can't break a streak like that. I am looking forward to seeing what you guys do in 2015. Billy

Billy, are you in an area which will allow you to attend the Baltimore Show in March? We have accumulated an extensive list of visitors to our display in the last thirty years or so. Kevin has also earned the privilege of having an adjoining sales table where we sell high grade Parkers for very reasonable prices.