2077

EXCEPTIONALLY FINE & RARE 60'S PRODUCTION

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:12,500.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
EXCEPTIONALLY FINE & RARE 60'S PRODUCTION
WINCHESTER MODEL 21 GRAND AMERICAN 20 GAUGE / 410 GAUGE 2 BARREL SET WITH ORIGINAL CASE IN EXCEPTIONALLY FINE ORIGINAL CONDITION. S# 32562. Finding a pre-69 Grand American Model 21 in 20 Ga. is rare enough, but finding one with an extra set of 410 bbls. is beyond compare. In these guns the 20 Ga. frame was used for all smaller gauges & 20 Ga. barrel blanks were also used for barrels. Adapting these blanks to accommodate the 410 cartridge entailed an amazing amount of work as the blanks had to be slimmed & tapered to reduce barrel weight. Frames were invariably of flat side form and had water table extensively milled out to reduce weight. Barrel flats also had milling cuts. This gun is fitted with two 28" barrel sets both with raised, matted, ventilated ribs with red "Bradley" front beads. Rear portions of ribs are marked "CUSTOM BUILT BY WINCHESTER" in milled out ovals. Later guns by U.S Repeating Arms eliminated the word "by". Model, gauge & chamber information are marked on tops of left barrels. There are 3 3/8" triangles of scroll engraving at breech ends. Engine turned barrel flats stamped with matching S#'s, Winchester proofs and identical inspector's marks. Bottoms of barrels marked "WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL" and both Barrel sets are marked for "Mod." and "Full" chokes. 20 Ga. barrels stamped "1" on loop while 410 barrels are stamped "2". Small size, flat sided, blued Model 21 action has no markings except for Winchester proof on milled out water table. S# on top tang does not have the "W" prefix. as used post 1969. Action features automatic safety, (safe inlaid in gold), engine turned breech face and gold plated single selective trigger. Action engraved in Grand American style with near full coverage, varying sized scroll within line and feather borders. This scroll surrounds scenes of dogs and birds in appropriate settings, major subjects are flush and inlaid in gold. A pointing setter is in mountainous terrain on left side of action and an alert pointer is in similar surroundings on right. Trigger plate has circular vignette of cock and hen pheasant flushing from open meadow. The portrait of a Spaniel (possibly custom ordered) is on trigger guard bow. Fences are deep relief carved in oak leaf and acorn motif. This work looks to be by either John or Nick Kusmit, highly regarded factory engravers of the period. Pistol grip buttstock is of a superb piece of crotch figured American walnut. Steel cap is scroll engraved & gold inlaid "GRAND AMERICAN" within gold line border. Stock is 21-B carved and checkered with multiple fleur de lis and ribbons through checkering pattern and a scroll flourish into butt. Stock measures 14 1/2" over checkered wood butt with fleur de lis at top. A vacant gold oval is on toeline. Each barrel set has its own dedicated beavertail ejector forend, marked 1 or 2 at front of engine turned iron. Forends are braced and feature flush inlet ebony tips, B-carving, ejectors and usual J-spring and knurled button releases. MEASUREMENTS: 20 gauge bbls.: DAH: 2 7/16"+. DAC: 1 9/16". Cast: 0. WEIGHT: 7 lbs. 3 oz.. 410 gauge bbls.: DAH: 2 1/2". DAC: 1 9/16". WEIGHT: 7 lbs. 8 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: gun and both sets of bbl.'s are housed in what appears to be their original, tan vinyl covered case with nickel plated corners and hardware by HERKERT & MEISEL of St. Louis. A large, vacant brass oval is screwed to top. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth and has black vinyl gold embossed Winchester label in lid. Case contains Winchester marked snap caps for each gauge, 3 piece brass and cocobolo cleaning rod, along with black leather containers for brushes, etc. for each gauge. CONDITION: exceptionally fine with scant evidence of any firing and retaining nearly all fine factory finishes on all wood and metal surfaces. There are only one or two exceptionally minor handling marks in metal, but there is some discoloration due to congealed oil or grease on forend irons and barrel flats. Gloss lacquer finish on stocks is rubbed back to matte (probably factory), at toe of stock there is a 1" x 1/4" fairly deep abrasion with exposed wood. Bores are excellent, mechanically crisp. Case has only one or two very minor marks on exterior. Nickel plate is still bright. Interior cloth is excellent with a few minor rubs from contact with barrels. Factory records do not list this S#. Ned Schwinn relates that before 1969 work orders are in existence for only about 48% of production. It is interesting to note that gun # 32650, another grand American 2 bbl. set in 28 & 410 Ga. is illustrated in Ned Schwing's book "Winchester's Finest, The Model 21." As being completed in 1965. The number of .410 M21s made by the Winchester custom shop can be counted on two hands. A unique opportunity to invest in a truly extraordinary Grand American. (21-1523/ MGM). CURIO. $25,000-40,000.