The Shooter’s Companion

Shotguns·makers·models·history

An independent reference on sporting shotguns, for shooters, collectors, buyers and sellers.

Winchester
101

An over-and-under in field and target versions

Model 101 · US101 Super Grade Game · UK6500 Sporter · EU

Drawing of a Winchester 101 from the right: two stacked 28-inch barrels, a low brushed receiver and a walnut stock.
Drawing: 12-gauge Ultimate Field, 28 in, right side

he Winchester 101 is an for upland game and clay targets.1 The name covers two guns: the original series and the later Select-derived Model 101.1, 2 The later gun has a low-profile receiver and Invector-Plus removable .2 Its Pigeon is offered with an adjustable .3

The original Super Grade Game resets its mechanically for the second barrel.4 On the later gun, the Pigeon and Sporting versions have a trigger shoe that moves forwards and backwards.5 Later barrels take flush or extended Signature Invector-Plus tubes, depending on the version.6

Specifications

12-bore · game

TriggerOriginal Super Grade Game: mechanical resetting for the second barrel4
Introduced19631
Bore12-bore
Chambers76 mm (3 in)
Barrels28.0 in
ChokesInvector-Plus Flush; removable; 3 tubes
Weight3.175 kg (7 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28.0 in)

7, 8 Compare specifications

Specifications

ConfigurationBoreChambersBarrels, inRib, mmGradeChoke systemWeightMarketsStockFinish
Field9, 1012-bore76 mm (3 in)28.06.35FieldInvector-Plus Flush; removable; 3 tubes3.175 kg (7 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28.0 in)US361.95 mm pullHigh Gloss action; wood grade II/III
Field11, 1012-bore76 mm (3 in)26.06.35FieldInvector-Plus Flush; removable; 3 tubes3.062 kg (6 lb 12 oz; catalogue, 26.0 in)US361.95 mm pullHigh Gloss action; wood grade II/III
Pigeon Sporting12, 1312-bore70 mm (2¾ in)30.010.16Pigeon SportingInvector-Plus Signature; removable; 5 tubes3.175 kg (7 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 30.0 in)US371.475 mm pullNitride action; wood grade II/III
Pigeon Sporting14, 1312-bore70 mm (2¾ in)32.010.16Pigeon SportingInvector-Plus Signature; removable; 5 tubes3.289 kg (7 lb 4 oz; catalogue, 32.0 in)US371.475 mm pullNitride action; wood grade II/III
Sporting15, 1612-bore70 mm (2¾ in)28.010.16SportingInvector-Plus Signature; removable; 5 tubes3.232 kg (7 lb 2 oz; catalogue, 28.0 in)US371.475 mm pullHigh Gloss action; wood grade II/III
Sporting17, 1612-bore70 mm (2¾ in)30.010.16SportingInvector-Plus Signature; removable; 5 tubes3.289 kg (7 lb 4 oz; catalogue, 30.0 in)US371.475 mm pullHigh Gloss action; wood grade II/III
Sporting18, 1612-bore70 mm (2¾ in)32.010.16SportingInvector-Plus Signature; removable; 5 tubes3.345 kg (7 lb 6 oz; catalogue, 32.0 in)US371.475 mm pullHigh Gloss action; wood grade II/III
Game
Game7, 812-bore76 mm (3 in)28.06.35Ultimate FieldInvector-Plus Flush; removable; 3 tubes3.175 kg (7 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28.0 in)US361.95 mm pullBrushed Polish action; wood grade I
Game19, 2012-bore76 mm (3 in)26.06.35Deluxe FieldInvector-Plus Flush; removable; 3 tubes3.062 kg (6 lb 12 oz; catalogue, 26.0 in)US361.95 mm pullHigh Gloss action; wood grade III
Game21, 2212-bore76 mm (3 in)26.06.35Deluxe Field MapleInvector-Plus Flush; removable; 3 tubes3.062 kg (6 lb 12 oz; catalogue, 26.0 in)US361.95 mm pullHigh Gloss action; wood grade AAA
Game23, 2212-bore76 mm (3 in)28.06.35Deluxe Field MapleInvector-Plus Flush; removable; 3 tubes3.062 kg (6 lb 12 oz; catalogue, 28.0 in)US361.95 mm pullHigh Gloss action; wood grade AAA
Game24, 2512-bore76 mm (3 in)30.0Deluxe Field3.345 kg (7 lb 6 oz; catalogue, 30.0 in)US371.475 mm pullwood grade II
Game26, 2512-bore76 mm (3 in)28.0Deluxe Field3.402 kg (7 lb 8 oz; catalogue, 28.0 in)US371.475 mm pullwood grade III
Game27, 2512-bore76 mm (3 in)26.0Deluxe Field3.289 kg (7 lb 4 oz; catalogue, 26.0 in)US371.475 mm pullwood grade II
Trap
Trap28, 29, 312-bore70 mm (2¾ in)30.010.16Pigeon Trap (Adjustable Comb)Invector-Plus Signature; removable; 3 tubes3.402 kg (7 lb 8 oz; catalogue, 30.0 in)USadjustable comb; 371.475 mm pullNitride action; wood grade II/III
Trap30, 29, 312-bore70 mm (2¾ in)32.010.16Pigeon Trap (Adjustable Comb)Invector-Plus Signature; removable; 3 tubes3.459 kg (7 lb 10 oz; catalogue, 32.0 in)USadjustable comb; 371.475 mm pullNitride action; wood grade II/III
Trap31, 3212-bore70 mm (2¾ in)30.010.16Pigeon TrapInvector-Plus Signature; removable; 3 tubes3.402 kg (7 lb 8 oz; catalogue, 30.0 in)US371.475 mm pullNitride action; wood grade II/III
Trap33, 3212-bore70 mm (2¾ in)32.010.16Pigeon TrapInvector-Plus Signature; removable; 3 tubes3.459 kg (7 lb 10 oz; catalogue, 32.0 in)US371.475 mm pullNitride action; wood grade II/III
Sporting
Sporting34, 3512-bore76 mm (3 in)30.010.16Ultimate SportingInvector-Plus Signature; removable; 5 tubes3.289 kg (7 lb 4 oz; catalogue, 30.0 in)US361.95 mm pullBrushed Polish action; wood grade I

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Identify and date

On the later gun, the serial number sits on the top tang beneath the .36 The and length appear on the barrel side ahead of the receiver.37 The right side of the barrel names the choke system.38 Winchester describes the later gun as made in Belgium, with further assembly in Portugal, and gives the barrel inscription as “Made by FN Belgium”.39

WhereMarkings
Top tang beneath the top lever, later gunsSerial number36
Barrel side ahead of the receiver, later gunsGauge and chamber length37
Barrel, later gunsMade by FN Belgium; Winchester describes further assembly in Portugal39

Before you buy

  1. Inspect an original clay gun’s tips for cratering.40
  2. Inspect an original gun’s ejector kickers for cracks or breakage.41
  3. Inspect the original plating for cracks or flaking.42
  4. Before buying an original gun that needs work, find the repair parts; Winchester/Browning held no spares for that series when a used-gun review was written.43
  5. Keep a later gun’s receiver, barrels and fore-end together as a fitted set; Winchester forbids interchanging them with other shotguns.44
  6. Read the later gun’s choke inscription before choosing tubes; Standard Invector, WinChoke and Invector-Plus do not interchange.38
  7. Check that the later gun’s fore-end latch returns flush when the fore-end seats.45

History

Winchester introduced the original Model 101 in 1963, and production ended in 1987.1, 46 Among the last original models was the 6500 Sporter, made for Europe; it and the Super Grade Game were popular in the UK.47 In 2007 Winchester introduced the Select-derived Model 101.2

Select-derived Model 101

2007. A low-profile receiver and Invector-Plus tubes distinguish the later range.2

DateChangeObservable feature
2007Select-derived Model 101 introduced2Low-profile receiver and Invector-Plus tubes

Compare

12-bore · sporting · 30.0 in · US

GunWeightBarrels, inRib, mmChokesChambersAction
Winchester 10134, 353.289 kg (7 lb 4 oz; catalogue, 30.0 in)30.010.16Invector-Plus Signature; removable; 5 tubes76 mm (3 in)
Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I4830.0Optima-Choke HP; removable76 mm (3 in)Trigger-plate action with coil springs49, 50, 51
Browning 72552, 53, 543.63 kg (8 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 30.0 in)30.0Invector-DS Extended; removable; 5 tubes70 mm (2¾ in)

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Sources

  1. Winchester Historical Timeline 1950–1999, model-101-introduction. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  2. Winchester Historical Timeline 2000–Present, new-model-101. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  3. Model 101 Pigeon Trap (Adjustable Comb), features. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  4. Secondhand Winchester selection: original 101 wear points, super-grade-configuration. Shooting UK. magazine · Archive
  5. Winchester Model 101 overview, pigeon-and-sporting. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  6. Winchester Model 101 overview, invector-plus. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  7. Model 101 Ultimate Field, item-513073392. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  8. Model 101 Ultimate Field, model-name. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  9. Model 101 Field, item-513046361. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  10. Model 101 Field, model-name. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  11. Model 101 Field, item-513046371. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  12. Model 101 Pigeon Sporting, item-513061493. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  13. Model 101 Pigeon Sporting, model-name. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  14. Model 101 Pigeon Sporting, item-513061494. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  15. Model 101 Sporting, item-513054492. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  16. Model 101 Sporting, model-name. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  17. Model 101 Sporting, item-513054493. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  18. Model 101 Sporting, item-513054494. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  19. Model 101 Deluxe Field, item-513076391. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  20. Model 101 Deluxe Field, model-name. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  21. Model 101 Deluxe Field Maple, item-513077391. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  22. Model 101 Deluxe Field Maple, model-name. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  23. Model 101 Deluxe Field Maple, item-513077392. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  24. Model 101 Deluxe Field, item-513052360. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  25. Model 101 Deluxe Field, model-name. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  26. Model 101 Deluxe Field, item-513052361. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  27. Model 101 Deluxe Field, item-513052371. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  28. Model 101 Pigeon Trap (Adjustable Comb), item-513059493. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  29. Model 101 Pigeon Trap (Adjustable Comb), model-name. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  30. Model 101 Pigeon Trap (Adjustable Comb), item-513059494. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  31. Model 101 Pigeon Trap, item-513057493. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  32. Model 101 Pigeon Trap, model-name. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  33. Model 101 Pigeon Trap, item-513057494. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  34. Model 101 Ultimate Sporting, item-513074393. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  35. Model 101 Ultimate Sporting, model-name. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  36. Model 101 owner’s manual: markings and parts compatibility, serial-location. Winchester Repeating Arms. manual · Archive
  37. Model 101 owner’s manual: markings and parts compatibility, gauge-and-chamber. Winchester Repeating Arms. manual · Archive
  38. Model 101 owner’s manual: markings and parts compatibility, choke-systems. Winchester Repeating Arms. manual · Archive
  39. Where are Winchester firearms manufactured? Archived maker FAQ, model-101-partners. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website
  40. Secondhand Winchester selection: original 101 wear points, firing-pins. Shooting UK. magazine · Archive
  41. Secondhand Winchester selection: original 101 wear points, ejector-kickers. Shooting UK. magazine · Archive
  42. Secondhand Winchester selection: original 101 wear points, action-plating. Shooting UK. magazine · Archive
  43. Secondhand Winchester selection: original 101 wear points, parts-supply. Shooting UK. magazine · Archive
  44. Model 101 owner’s manual: markings and parts compatibility, parts-compatibility. Winchester Repeating Arms. manual · Archive
  45. Model 101 owner’s manual: markings and parts compatibility, fore-end-latch. Winchester Repeating Arms. manual · Archive
  46. Secondhand Winchester selection, original-production-ends. Shooting UK, 2016. magazine · Archive
  47. Secondhand Winchester selection: original 101 wear points, old-models. Shooting UK. magazine · Archive
  48. Beretta USA 686 Silver Pigeon I Sporting product page, US configuration 1. Beretta USA. maker website · Archive
  49. Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I 2024 brochure, 2024 version. Beretta / GMK, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  50. Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I 2024 brochure, Hunting specifications. Beretta / GMK, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  51. Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I Sport test — wear and redesign, Wear and parts. The Field; Michael Yardley. magazine · Archive
  52. Browning Citori 725: United States product specifications, Item 0180024010. Browning. maker website · Archive
  53. Browning Citori 725: United States product specifications, Item 0180024009. Browning. maker website · Archive
  54. Browning Citori 725: United States product specifications, Features. Browning. maker website · Archive

Revised