In my quest for a Model 21, I quickly learned the price of a small bore was out of my league. Small bore used to mean 20 gauge and smaller.  Twenty years ago a 16 gauge could be had at a significant discount; you could buy one for less than a 12.  Now small bore means 16 gauge and smaller. 

The number of Model 21 guns produced, by gauge, tells the story. The overwhelming number produced in New Haven were 12 gauge guns. Relatively few 20 gauge guns were made and their price reflects that. 

The solution for the budget-minded Model 21 seeker is what the English sportsmen learned a long time ago: even 7/8 ounce of shot at about 950-1000 fs works just fine from a 7 pound 12 gauge upland game. I can shoot it all day in my Skeet Gun. Whereas 1 1/8 oz at 1350 -1400 fs is not fun. 

The difference between a high quality side-by-side 12 gauge and the same gun in 20 gauge is more than a few thousands of dollars. 

Zebulon said
I was given a nice postwar Model 37 16 gauge and will say it was a cut above the other break-open single barrels. If a Model 24 was made along those lines, it would be a well-made double gun. Awkward looking, whereas the M37 is to me quite handsome. 
I don't know how many of the Model 24  were made and that might affect the price. There were a fair number of Trojans built. The ones I've seen that I'd have were priced higher than a thousand, because of the Parker craze. Good solid guns, of course. 
For a good while, the real bargain was a Browning BSS in 12 gauge. I have a Sporter (oil finish, English stock, slender beavertail forearm) but the market had begun to recognize the quality and it set me back $1500 for a lightly used one in the original box. Still, it is a whole lot of side-by-side for that money. 
  

Your Model 37 seems very refined relative to the Model 24.  They are much more boxy and lack the stock work of your Model 37.

This may prove controversial, and I still wouldn’t mind owning a Model 21, but I don’t understand the high price tag on them when, for the same money, you can get a much more graceful Parker VH, or even a Fox higher grade shotgun, same with L C Smith and Ithaca.

I don't know how many of the Model 24  were made and that might affect the price. There were a fair number of Trojans built. The ones I've seen that I'd have were priced higher than a thousand, because of the Parker craze. Good solid guns, of course. 

For a good while, the real bargain was a Browning BSS in 12 gauge. I have a Sporter (oil finish, English stock, slender beavertail forearm) but the market had begun to recognize the quality and it set me back $1500 for a lightly used one in the original box. Still, it is a whole lot of side-by-side for that money. 

James W said
Rumor has it that if you take two Model 37s and tie them together side by side you have a Model 24. But, I always wanted one. If I ever find a nice one for sale at a show, I will grab it. I'd like to have a 12 or a 20 gauge. Supposedly, and good utility gun. Reliable. For a grand or so, you should do well. 🙂
  

Well, IDK.  Even in 20 gauge, this seems it shouldn’t be much more than a half a grand shotgun.  For a grand, you can get something much sleeker, like a Parker Trojan.

I've always been drawn to the Model 24 and if I find one in the configuration and condition I like I hope to have the necessary jingle in my pocket to bring it home. I don't think any of them get the respect they deserve but I'd prefer the 20 and 12 over the 16 as I want to shoot it and prefer my ammo the same as my women; cheap and available. Like any other collector Winchester condition is very important and with the limited interest it could be more important than with other models. Have you shot them? I've never handled one much.

Mike

Any desirability here and what do these tend to run?

12 gauge (boat anchors these days)

16 gauge 

20 gauge

tdnathens said
Hi; I realize this forum is several years old. Just thought I'd try for an answer. I have a twelve-gauge Model 12, 30-inch, full choke. Serial # 544023. When was it produced?
Thanks; Tom
  

January 1928.

Bert

Thanks; Tom

tdnathens said
Hi; I keep reading that for Model 1897's the factory records before 1904 and after 1949 are missing, and the missing years are just estimates. Is this true?
Thanks; Tom
  

Where are you reading that? NO, that is not the truth!

The real truth is this; 

(1) The serialization (Polishing Room) records exist for the entire 60-year production run (July 1897 through December 1957.  The PR records provide the exact date that the serial number was stamped on the receiver frame, which is per Federal law, is the official date of manufacture. 

(2) The original factory warehouse ledger records exist up through serial number 377999 (serialized on July 8th, 1907).  The warehouse ledger records provide the specific configuration details and the date the gun was received in the shipping warehouse from the Proofing Room.  The typical time differential between the PR date and the received in warehouse date was less than two weeks.

Both the PR and Warehouse records are used by the Cody Firearms Museum (CFM) records office to create a Factory letter when ordered.  If the serial number is in the 378000 - 1027401, you can request a "SNA" (Serial Number Application) letter. This is a standard CFM factory letter:

What is known, is that nearly all of the previously published Model 1897 date of manufacture information in books and on the internet are grossly inaccurate.  The only known accurate DOM look-up information for the Model 1897 is the one found here on the WACA website (I created it) - Dates -Winchester Collector

Further, I just recently published an informative article discussing the entire 60-year production run for the Model 1897, and in that article, I provided the annual production table listing the year ending serial numbers.

2026 Spring (winchestercollector.org)

Bert

Thanks; Tom

tdnathens said
Thanks Bert for the information. Are these dates when they were made or when they were shipped from the factory?
Thanks, Tom
  

They are the manufacture date.  There are no surviving records to tell us when or where they were shipped.

Thanks, Tom