The Shooter’s Companion

Shotguns·makers·models·history

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

Winchester
Model 21

A boxlock double with standard and custom grades

Model 21 · US

Drawing of a Winchester Model 21 from the right: side-by-side 28-inch barrels, a boxlock action with an arrowhead reinforcement at the breech, a chequered walnut pistol-grip stock, a beavertail fore-end and a single trigger.
Drawing: 12-gauge standard, 28 in, right side

he Winchester Model 21 is a offered in standard and custom grades.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Its barrels meet the at a flat junction with an exterior arrowhead reinforcement.7 The breech has no extension, and the gun opens through an unusually shallow angle.8, 1

A thick underbolt locks the barrels.8 The tubes join by interlocking dovetails in their integral lumps and are soldered together.1 Winchester developed a selective inertia-operated , but some early guns have double triggers, and splinter fore-ends.9, 10

Specifications

12-bore

LockingThick underbolt; no extension11, 12, 13, 14
Lockwork11, 12, 13, 14
TriggerSelective inertia-operated ; some early guns have double triggers11, 12, 13, 14
EjectorsSome early guns have 11, 12, 13, 14
Introduced193115, 13
Bore12-bore
Chambers76 mm (3 in)
Barrels30, 32 in

16, 17 Compare specifications

Specifications

ConfigurationBoreChambersBarrels, inFore-endGradeYearsMarketsStockFinish
Duck16, 1712-bore76 mm (3 in)30, 32BeavertailDuck1940–1952OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Standard1712-bore26, 28, 30, 32BeavertailStandard1931–1959OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Standard1716-bore26, 28, 30, 32BeavertailStandard1931–1959OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Standard1720-bore26, 28, 30, 32BeavertailStandard1931–1959OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Tournament20, 1712-bore26, 28, 30, 32BeavertailTournament1933–1934OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Tournament20, 1716-bore26, 28, 30, 32BeavertailTournament1933–1934OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Tournament20, 1720-bore26, 28, 30, 32BeavertailTournament1933–1934OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Trap21, 1712-bore26, 28, 30, 32BeavertailTrap1932–1959OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Trap21, 1716-bore26, 28, 30, 32BeavertailTrap1932–1959OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Trap21, 1720-bore26, 28, 30, 32BeavertailTrap1932–1959OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Skeet22, 17, 2312-bore26, 28, 30, 32BeavertailSkeet1936–1959OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Skeet22, 17, 2316-bore26, 28, 30, 32BeavertailSkeet1936–1959OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Skeet22, 17, 2320-bore26, 28, 30, 32BeavertailSkeet1936–1959OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Skeet22, 17, 2328-bore26, 28, 30, 32BeavertailSkeet1936–1959OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Magnum24, 17, 1612-bore76 mm (3 in)BeavertailMagnum1953–1959OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Magnum24, 17, 1620-bore76 mm (3 in)BeavertailMagnum1953–1959OtherPistol or straight grip; Beavertail fore-end
Custom Built / Deluxe2512-boreCustom Built / Deluxe1933–1959Other
Custom Built / Deluxe2516-boreCustom Built / Deluxe1933–1959Other
Custom Built / Deluxe2520-boreCustom Built / Deluxe1933–1959Other
Custom Built / Deluxe2528-boreCustom Built / Deluxe1933–1959Other
Custom Built / Deluxe25.410Custom Built / Deluxe1933–1959Other
Custom26, 2712-boreChequeredCustom1960–1981OtherPistol or straight grip; Chequered fore-endSmall amount of frame scroll engraving
Custom26, 2716-boreChequeredCustom1960–1981OtherPistol or straight grip; Chequered fore-endSmall amount of frame scroll engraving
Custom26, 2720-boreChequeredCustom1960–1981OtherPistol or straight grip; Chequered fore-endSmall amount of frame scroll engraving
Custom26, 2728-boreChequeredCustom1960–1981OtherPistol or straight grip; Chequered fore-endSmall amount of frame scroll engraving
Custom26, 27.410ChequeredCustom1960–1981OtherPistol or straight grip; Chequered fore-endSmall amount of frame scroll engraving
Pigeon28, 2712-boreCarved to style APigeon1960–1981OtherCarved to style A fore-end21-6 pattern engraving
Pigeon28, 2716-boreCarved to style APigeon1960–1981OtherCarved to style A fore-end21-6 pattern engraving
Pigeon28, 2720-boreCarved to style APigeon1960–1981OtherCarved to style A fore-end21-6 pattern engraving
Pigeon28, 2728-boreCarved to style APigeon1960–1981OtherCarved to style A fore-end21-6 pattern engraving
Pigeon28, 27.410Carved to style APigeon1960–1981OtherCarved to style A fore-end21-6 pattern engraving
Grand American29, 27, 2812-boreCarved to style BGrand American1960–1981OtherCarved to style B fore-end21-6 pattern with gold inlays engraving
Grand American29, 27, 2816-boreCarved to style BGrand American1960–1981OtherCarved to style B fore-end21-6 pattern with gold inlays engraving
Grand American29, 27, 2820-boreCarved to style BGrand American1960–1981OtherCarved to style B fore-end21-6 pattern with gold inlays engraving
Grand American29, 27, 2828-boreCarved to style BGrand American1960–1981OtherCarved to style B fore-end21-6 pattern with gold inlays engraving
Grand American29, 27, 28.410Carved to style BGrand American1960–1981OtherCarved to style B fore-end21-6 pattern with gold inlays engraving

Scroll for more columns.

Identify and date

Tournament, , and Duck guns carry their grade name on the plate.30, 4, 5, 3 Custom Built / Deluxe guns carry CUSTOM BUILT on the or DELUXE on the plate.31 The Magnum has no grade mark on its plate.32

Standard-grade guns have a chequered beavertail and a pistol- or walnut .2 Some early guns instead have double triggers, and a splinter .10 CSMC also makes a 20- Model 21 , a gun Winchester did not make.33

WhereMarkings
Bottom of Tournament plateTOURNAMENT20
, and Duck plates, and DUCK respectively34
Custom Built / Deluxe or plateCUSTOM BUILT on the or DELUXE on the plate25

CSMC searches its archives for the original specification and delivery details of guns bought from CSMC, including the Model 21 .35 Contact the maker

Before you buy

  1. Have a specialist test the ; CSMC lists malfunctions among its Model 21 repairs.36
  2. Have the ribs inspected for looseness; the factory repair centre offers to strip and relay loose ribs.37, 38
  3. Establish the type before choosing cartridges: screw-in suit steel shot, but Outdoor Life describes bored- Model 21s as unsuitable for steel.39
  4. Check that the grade marks match the gun's configuration: Tournament, and guns have their own marks, and some early guns have double triggers and .30, 4, 5, 10
  5. Ask the factory repair centre about parts and replacement barrels before you commission work; it lists original parts and new barrels for the Model 21.38, 40
  6. To date a gun, seek its original factory record; the Winchester Arms Collectors Association places Model 21 records at Cody, and Winchester warns that serial-year tables are approximate.41, 42, 43

History

Winchester introduced the Model 21 in 1931.44 The Duck grade arrived in 1940 with a three-inch , followed by the Magnum in 1953.3, 32 In 1960 Winchester restricted the gun to custom orders.45

The custom-shop grades of 1960–1981 were Custom, Pigeon and Grand American.46, 6, 47, 48 Winchester stopped taking Model 21 orders in 1991.9 In 1995 CSMC bought the Winchester Custom Shop for the Model 21.49

Custom-shop grades

1960–1981. Custom, Pigeon and Grand American grades.50

DateChangeObservable feature
1940Duck enters the range16DUCK on the plate and a three-inch
1953Magnum enters the range51No grade mark on the plate
1960The Model 21 becomes available only to custom order52, 50Custom, Pigeon and Grand American finishes

Sources

  1. When It Comes To Shotguns, Make Mine A Double: Model 21, boxlock-and-mechanism. American Rifleman, 2023-06-22. magazine · Archive
  2. Model 21: grades and configurations, standard-grade. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  3. Model 21: grades and configurations, duck-gun. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  4. Model 21: grades and configurations, trap-grade. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  5. Model 21: grades and configurations, skeet-grade. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  6. Model 21: grades and configurations, custom-shop-custom. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  7. John Olin’s Favorite Double Gun: The Winchester 21, visible-reinforcement. Outdoor Life, 2021-10-26. magazine · Archive
  8. John Olin’s Favorite Double Gun: The Winchester 21, breech-and-locking. Outdoor Life, 2021-10-26. magazine · Archive
  9. When It Comes To Shotguns, Make Mine A Double, model-21-orders-end. American Rifleman, 2023. magazine · Archive
  10. Model 21: grades and configurations, early-configuration. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  11. John Olin’s Favorite Double Gun: The Winchester 21, Breech and locking. Outdoor Life, 2021-10-26. magazine · Archive
  12. When It Comes To Shotguns, Make Mine A Double: Model 21, Boxlock and mechanism. American Rifleman, 2023-06-22. magazine · Archive
  13. When It Comes To Shotguns, Make Mine A Double, Model 21 orders end. American Rifleman, 2023. magazine · Archive
  14. Model 21: grades and configurations, Early configuration. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  15. Winchester Historical Timeline 1900–1949, Model 21 introduction. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  16. Model 21: grades and configurations, Duck Gun. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  17. Model 21: grades and configurations, Standard grade. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  18. John Olin’s Favorite Double Gun: The Winchester 21, Visible reinforcement. Outdoor Life, 2021-10-26. magazine · Archive
  19. Model 21: grades and configurations, Standard grade; Early configuration. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  20. Model 21: grades and configurations, Tournament grade. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  21. Model 21: grades and configurations, Trap grade. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  22. Model 21: grades and configurations, Skeet grade. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  23. Model 21: grades and configurations, Tournament grade; Trap grade. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  24. Model 21: grades and configurations, Magnum Gun. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  25. Model 21: grades and configurations, Custom Built Deluxe grade. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  26. Model 21: grades and configurations, Custom-shop Custom. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  27. Model 21: grades and configurations, Custom-shop period; Custom-shop Custom. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  28. Model 21: grades and configurations, Custom-shop Pigeon. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  29. Model 21: grades and configurations, Grand American. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  30. Model 21: grades and configurations, tournament-grade. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  31. Model 21: grades and configurations, custom-built-deluxe-grade. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  32. Model 21: grades and configurations, magnum-gun. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  33. When It Comes To Shotguns, Make Mine A Double: Model 21, related-over-and-under. American Rifleman, 2023-06-22. magazine · Archive
  34. Model 21: grades and configurations, Trap grade; Skeet grade; Duck Gun. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  35. Services & Repairs: Model 21, Archive letters; Letter scope. Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company. maker website · Archive
  36. Services & Repairs: Model 21, trigger-repair. Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company. maker website · Archive
  37. Services & Repairs: Model 21, rib-repair. Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company. maker website · Archive
  38. Services & Repairs: Model 21, factory-parts. Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company. maker website · Archive
  39. John Olin’s Favorite Double Gun: The Winchester 21, steel-shot-distinction. Outdoor Life, 2021-10-26. magazine · Archive
  40. Services & Repairs: Model 21, replacement-barrels. Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company. maker website · Archive
  41. Model 21 Shotguns, record-coverage. Winchester Arms Collectors Association. magazine · Archive
  42. Winchester FAQ: serial records and service, approximate-dating. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  43. Winchester FAQ: serial records and service, record-limits. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  44. Winchester Historical Timeline 1900–1949, model-21-introduction. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  45. Winchester Historical Timeline 1950–1999, model-21-custom-orders. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive
  46. Model 21: grades and configurations, custom-shop-period. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  47. Model 21: grades and configurations, custom-shop-pigeon. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  48. Model 21: grades and configurations, grand-american. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  49. Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company: About Us, winchester-custom-shop. Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company. maker website · Archive
  50. Model 21: grades and configurations, Custom-shop period; Custom-shop Custom; Custom-shop Pigeon; Grand American. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  51. Model 21: grades and configurations, Duck Gun; Magnum Gun. Gun Values by Gun Digest. magazine · Archive
  52. Winchester Historical Timeline 1950–1999, Model 21 custom orders. Winchester Repeating Arms. maker website · Archive

Revised