LET'S SEE YOUR WINCHESTER MODEL 21's
- Thread starter Cow Town Bill
- Start date
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Great collection Bill, thanks for showing them off!
A couple of months ago I had the good fortune to obtain a 20 gauge Model 21. As many of you know, 20 gauge M21's are rather uncommon in Canada. It's a 28" Skeet gun (SK1 and SK2) ---many of these guns were made with 26" barrels---I much prefer the longer barrels. It has straight grip (English) style stock making it a few ounces lighter that pistol grip stock---great for upland bird shooting. As with most Skeet M21's it has a single trigger, ejectors and a beavertail forend. And, it is completely original with very little signs of use.
I've shot some sporting clays with this gun and it fits me well and can bust clay targets very nicely. Also works great on upland birds as I was out yesterday on a bird preserve and I was very happy with its performance.
Here's a couple of pics:
I've shot some sporting clays with this gun and it fits me well and can bust clay targets very nicely. Also works great on upland birds as I was out yesterday on a bird preserve and I was very happy with its performance.
Here's a couple of pics:
Attachments
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Slight thread derail (since we're talking about M21).
- Why does most of them have a sculpted receiver, while every so often some of them will show up with straight sides?
- 1948 MODEL 21 DELUXE GRADE IV ENGRAVED 16 GAUGE
And speaking of M21... Seems like CSMC offers them with both style of receiver... and for the individual who has everything, they offer a M21 express rifle in 22lr
- Why does most of them have a sculpted receiver, while every so often some of them will show up with straight sides?
- 1948 MODEL 21 DELUXE GRADE IV ENGRAVED 16 GAUGE
And speaking of M21... Seems like CSMC offers them with both style of receiver... and for the individual who has everything, they offer a M21 express rifle in 22lr
Slight thread derail (since we're talking about M21).
- Why does most of them have a sculpted receiver, while every so often some of them will show up with straight sides?
- 1948 MODEL 21 DELUXE GRADE IV ENGRAVED 16 GAUGE
And speaking of M21... Seems like CSMC offers them with both style of receiver... and for the individual who has everything, they offer a M21 express rifle in 22lr
In general, the flat sided receivers were reserved for the engraved models---the flat sides embellishes the engraving somewhat. Most of the M21's built after the 60's had flat sided receivers.
CSMC purchased all of Winchester's parts, receivers, barrels including partially finished guns. CSMC then completed the guns according to their clients wishes. I think, but can't be sure, that CSMC did make some receivers including light weight ones for 28 and 410 bores.
Think that CSMC are still making a few M21's, but not many. There are a lot of used M21's in the US market so there probably isn't much demand for new ones.
This gun has been used more in the past couple of weeks than it has in many, many years.
It was likely made in the early 50's---still waiting for a letter from Winchester regarding date of manufacture etc.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Probably a though sale @ $15K, when originals are still reasonably easy to find.
Speaking of CSMC, the have a homage to the M21 with their O/U ?
*-*-*-*
But before I get an infraction for too many derail for one thread... There's this one with Ralf Martini, looking for a new friend... 20g deluxe.
- About 6 weeks to build it.
Probably a though sale @ $15K, when originals are still reasonably easy to find.
Speaking of CSMC, the have a homage to the M21 with their O/U ?
*-*-*-*
But before I get an infraction for too many derail for one thread... There's this one with Ralf Martini, looking for a new friend... 20g deluxe.
- About 6 weeks to build it.
From what I have read on the web, the M21 O/U isn't much of a gun AND it adds confusion, is your M21 a SxS or O/U? YUK!!! For me there is only one M21 and its a SxS.
The M21 on Martini's website is a high grade built a number of years ago---its been on his web site for several years.
Bill
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
Bill is this the one Prophet River had consigned or did you find another? Also I am available for adoption should you require an heir to your fabulous gun collection!
Last edited:
Bill is this the one Prophet River had consigned or did you find another? Also I am available for adoption should you require an heir to your fabulous gun collection!
Yes, it was at Prophet River (one of our sponsors) for well over a year. PR sold a couple of guns on my behalf which made the purchase of the M21 easier on the pocket book.
Believe it or not, my collection is slowly, but surely, diminishing in size.
Perhaps you can post some pics of your 16 ga M21---coming from the Ulrich family I'm sure its a very fine gun.
I also have a M21 trap gun and I'll post pics shortly. Mine weighs a little over 7 1/2 lbs with 32" barrels---very manageable weight for me---I plan to shoot it for a few recreational rounds of trap---nothing too demanding---usually shoot 1 oz loads to reduce recoil.
Winchester Model 21 Trap Gun
A few months ago I was fortunate to purchase a M21 Trap gun. It has 32" barrels, choked Full and Full, and has a vent rib which I prefer versus the solid rib guns. It was built in 1934 (factory letter)---the first M21's came out in the early 30's---so it over 90 years old.
It also has a second set of vent rib barrels which are 28" in length and choked SK1 (Skeet 1) in both barrels. This combination is somewhat unusual as most Skeet barrels are choked SK1 and SK2 with the SK2 having more constriction than the SK1 choke.
It has a single selective trigger, ejectors, pistol grip stock and beavertail forend. These features are common with almost all Trap and Skeet guns and many field guns.
The action has been custom engraved in a rather distinctive pattern. The engraver didn't leave any identifying mark so he remains anonymous.
I've shot some trap and 5 stand targets and it functions properly and crushes targets when I point it in the right direction.
A few months ago I was fortunate to purchase a M21 Trap gun. It has 32" barrels, choked Full and Full, and has a vent rib which I prefer versus the solid rib guns. It was built in 1934 (factory letter)---the first M21's came out in the early 30's---so it over 90 years old.
It also has a second set of vent rib barrels which are 28" in length and choked SK1 (Skeet 1) in both barrels. This combination is somewhat unusual as most Skeet barrels are choked SK1 and SK2 with the SK2 having more constriction than the SK1 choke.
It has a single selective trigger, ejectors, pistol grip stock and beavertail forend. These features are common with almost all Trap and Skeet guns and many field guns.
The action has been custom engraved in a rather distinctive pattern. The engraver didn't leave any identifying mark so he remains anonymous.
I've shot some trap and 5 stand targets and it functions properly and crushes targets when I point it in the right direction.
Attachments
A few months ago I was fortunate to purchase a M21 Trap gun. It has 32" barrels, choked Full and Full, and has a vent rib which I prefer versus the solid rib guns. It was built in 1934 (factory letter)---the first M21's came out in the early 30's---so it over 90 years old.
It also has a second set of vent rib barrels which are 28" in length and choked SK1 (Skeet 1) in both barrels. This combination is somewhat unusual as most Skeet barrels are choked SK1 and SK2 with the SK2 having more constriction than the SK1 choke.
It has a single selective trigger, ejectors, pistol grip stock and beavertail forend. These features are common with almost all Trap and Skeet guns and many field guns.
The action has been custom engraved in a rather distinctive pattern. The engraver didn't leave any identifying mark so he remains anonymous.
I've shot some trap and 5 stand targets and it functions properly and crushes targets when I point it in the right direction.
View attachment 726428
Attachments
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Sweet M21 Bill!
Winchester built a small number of M21's in 410, probably less than 100.
At a recent US auction there were no less than 7 M21's in 410 listed for sale. Reportedly, they had all been commissioned by the same collector probably dating back to the 60s and 70's. All 7 had 28" vent rib barrels in skeet chokes (SK-1 and SK-2). The only significant difference in the guns is the engraving pattern, starting at Grade 1 and going up to Grade 7. They weighed about 7 1/2 pounds which is on the heavy side for a 410 as they were built on 20 gauge frames. Both the 28 gauges and 410's were built primarily for skeet shooters who like their small bore guns to approximate the weight of their 12 or 20 gauge guns.
The pics below show the Grade 1 gun which sold for about $13k. The Grade 7 fetched nearly twice that of the Grade 1.
At a recent US auction there were no less than 7 M21's in 410 listed for sale. Reportedly, they had all been commissioned by the same collector probably dating back to the 60s and 70's. All 7 had 28" vent rib barrels in skeet chokes (SK-1 and SK-2). The only significant difference in the guns is the engraving pattern, starting at Grade 1 and going up to Grade 7. They weighed about 7 1/2 pounds which is on the heavy side for a 410 as they were built on 20 gauge frames. Both the 28 gauges and 410's were built primarily for skeet shooters who like their small bore guns to approximate the weight of their 12 or 20 gauge guns.
The pics below show the Grade 1 gun which sold for about $13k. The Grade 7 fetched nearly twice that of the Grade 1.
Attachments
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
Wow!!
A long time friend offered me a M21 that I couldn't resist. Its a 16 Ga Skeet gun, straight stock, 26" barrels choked SK1 and SK2, single selective trigger and beavertail forend. A factory letter confirms it was built in the late 30's.
Competition Skeet (NSSA) never had a 16 ga event but some shooters used it in 12 Ga events---perhaps it reduced recoil somewhat with a 1 oz payload vs the standard (at that time) of 1 1/8 oz. Also, it could be used in the 20 Ga event if using a 7/8 oz load.
I've used it a couple of times for upland birds as the skeet chokes provide a pattern similar to IC and Light Mod with modern ammo.
And, for your viewing pleasure
Competition Skeet (NSSA) never had a 16 ga event but some shooters used it in 12 Ga events---perhaps it reduced recoil somewhat with a 1 oz payload vs the standard (at that time) of 1 1/8 oz. Also, it could be used in the 20 Ga event if using a 7/8 oz load.
I've used it a couple of times for upland birds as the skeet chokes provide a pattern similar to IC and Light Mod with modern ammo.
And, for your viewing pleasure
