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I am looking a purchasing a model 21 in 16 ga serial number 10406 (skeet). The collector has several but the 16 ga is in the best condition and locks up very tight with the release lever off center to the right. The gun has been locked away since the early 1970’s in the possession of a family friend. Are there any special considerations for a 1930 era 16 ga? I assume the shell are 2 3/4″ and modern ammunition will work? Would it be possible to install Briley chokes without any issue? The gun has been reblued and I know choke installation is a “no-no’ for the purest. I planned to us it occationally at dove shoots. Thank you in advance.
Fielding Turner
Just my opinion, but if the gun has already been refinished (reblued), adding screw in chokes is not likely to hurt the value anymore than it already has been. A 1930s Winchester 16-ga should be hambered for 2-3/4″ shells, but it would not hurt to have it checked.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thank you Bert. To me this shotgun looks to be reblued? The barrels are marked IMP CYL and MOD. So no need for choke tubes. I’m not sure about the pistol grip cap? The Pachmayr White Line recoil pad can’t be original?
It looks like it has been refinished to me as well. Additionally, the stock was most likely shortened when the recoil pad was added. Unless this gun is priced appropriately, I would not consider it worth acquiring.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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I’d venture a guess this gun was once owned by a pretty serious skeet shooter but the chokes suggest a field gun. If Cody has any info on this shotgun it may include original stock dimensions and other useful info. I wouldn’t be surprised if the chokes had been opened up. I agree the gun has likely been refinished but that’s pretty common with guns used in clay bird competition.
If I wanted a 21 with interchangeable tubes I’d take a close look at the offerings of Connecticut Shotgun Mfg. It’s as close as you can get to a new Winchester 21, they even offer Model 21 parts and repairs.
Mike
Thank you, the collection has a total of 3 M21’s all marked skeet. I
guess SKEET denotes 26″ barrels. The others are a 12ga and 20ga. Those two have seen far more action than the 16. They do not lock as tight nor do they dimple a primer as hard as the 16ga. The stock is 13 1/2″ LOP and the barrels are still Imp Cyl and Mod. I was thinking $3,000 range but now I’m thinking more like $1,800. I would make a nice dove field gun. Connecticut shotgun Mtg does provide a good source for parts and gunsmithing, which makes it possible to shoot M21’s.
The collection has several 1901’s, model 12’s (in all gauges including 28), model 42’s , model 37, 101’s, 1890’s, plus several LC Smiths. Unfortunately, most have been reblued in the mid 1970’s. The old blue was buffed off along with the crispness of the proof marks and rolled stamping.
I appreciate the input.
Fielding
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