*RARE WINCHESTER MODEL 21 PIGEON GRADE DBL BBL SHOTGUN.

*RARE WINCHESTER MODEL 21 PIGEON GRADE DBL BBL SHOTGUN. Cal. 410. SN W32672. Extremely rare tiny Model 21 with 28″ vent rib bbls, choked FULL/MOD. The rib is raised with matted top and dbl silver beads marked “CUSTOM BUILT BY WINCHESTER” at the chamber end. It has gold plated single selective trigger and ejectors. The receiver, triggerguard, top tang, opening lever and forend iron are all beautifully, full coverage engraved in 21-6 patterns with a vignette of a setter on point in a field scene on the left side and a pointer on point on the right side, two pheasant in a field scene on the floorplate and a spaniel’s head on the trigger bow. It is all surrounded by fine, tight arabesque patterns. The fences are deep relief engraved in oak leaf patterns. The arabesque patterns extend about 3″ up the bbls over the chamber area. The trigger plate is signed “JS 76” for the factory engraver Jasper Salerno. All the bright surfaces are jeweled or engine turned. It is mounted in an exceptionally beautiful center crotch cut American walnut stock and forearm with spectacular sunburst pattern in the stock. Both stock and forearm are carved and checkered in “B” style with dbl fleur de lis and ribbon patterns with stippled background behind the fleur de lis. The stock is 14″ over a leather covered pad and has a straight grip. The top of the receiver and water table have lightening cuts.

It is accompanied by a copy of a Cody Firearms Museum letter and copy of the Winchester “Special Guns Final Inspection Report” fully identifying this shotgun as a tool and process try out sample/process verification sample, which is dated 10/19/76. The letter indicates that it was shipped January 10, 1977. The inspection report states, in addition to the above information, that the rib panel is to be without name and no stock gold oval name plate. It also states that it was to have 3″ chambers and a Winchester recoil pad with leather cover and a medium comb with a 2-1/2″ pitch, 14″ LOP, 2-3/8″ drop at the heel and 1-1/2″ drop at the comb. Weight is 7 lbs. 5.7 oz. Additional research disclosed that there were only five .410 model 21’s built between 1960 and 1982. Of these five, four were built as process verification samples, which were built for manufacturing tests and promotional tools by Winchester. There were two Grand Americans and two Pigeon Grades. One of the Grand Americans belonged to Olin Corp. and was loaned and later given yto the Cody Firearms Museum, where it is prominently displayed.

The Location of the Pigeon Grade is unknown. From a collector’s view, the Pigeon Grade is by far the most rare of the custom guns. Therefore, it could be argued that this lot is the most rare .410 model 21 of the five built between 1960 and 1982. See WINCHESTER’S FINEST THE MODEL 21 by Ned Schwing, pg 336 & 440.

CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, as new, appears to be unfired with only a few small scrapes on the standing breech. It retains virtually all of its bright original factory finish to both metal and wood. There is a small spot of pitting on the inside of the forend iron and another tiny spot on the right ejector hammer. There are one or two tiny nicks in the stock finish, otherwise it is near perfect. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bores. 4-53200 JR911 (35,000-50,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1746	$58,650.00	RARE WINCHESTER MODEL 21 PIGEON GRADE DBL BBL SHOTGUN. Cal. 410. SN W32672. Extremely rare tiny Model 21 with 28″ vent rib bbls, choked FULL/MOD. The rib is raised with matted top and dbl silver beads marked “CUSTOM BUILT BY WINCHESTER” at the chamber end. It has gold plated single selective trigger and ejectors. The receiver, triggerguard, top tang, opening lever and forend iron are all beautifully, full coverage engraved in 21-6 patterns with a vignette of a setter on point in a field scene on the left side and a pointer on point on the right side, two pheasant in a field scene on the floorplate and a spaniel’s head on the trigger bow. It is all surrounded by fine, tight arabesque patterns. The fences are deep relief engraved in oak leaf patterns. The arabesque patterns extend about 3″ up the bbls over the chamber area. The trigger plate is signed “JS 76” for the factory engraver Jasper Salerno. All the bright surfaces are jeweled or engine turned. It is mounted in an exceptionally beautiful center crotch cut American walnut stock and forearm with spectacular sunburst pattern in the stock. Both stock and forearm are carved and checkered in “B” style with dbl fleur de lis and ribbon patterns with stippled background behind the fleur de lis. The stock is 14″ over a leather covered pad and has a straight grip. The top of the receiver and water table have lightening cuts. It is accompanied by a copy of a Cody Firearms Museum letter and copy of the Winchester “Special Guns Final Inspection Report” fully identifying this shotgun as a tool and process try out sample/process verification sample, which is dated 10/19/76. The letter indicates that it was shipped January 10, 1977. The inspection report states, in addition to the above information, that the rib panel is to be without name and no stock gold oval name plate. It also states that it was to have 3″ chambers and a Winchester recoil pad with leather cover and a medium comb with a 2-1/2″ pitch, 14″ LOP, 2-3/8″ drop at the heel and 1-1/2″ drop at the comb. Weight is 7 lbs. 5.7 oz. Additional research disclosed that there were only five .410 model 21’s built between 1960 and 1982. Of these five, four were built as process verification samples, which were built for manufacturing tests and promotional tools by Winchester. There were two Grand Americans and two Pigeon Grades. One of the Grand Americans belonged to Olin Corp. and was loaned and later given yto the Cody Firearms Museum, where it is prominently displayed. The Location of the Pigeon Grade is unknown. From a collector’s view, the Pigeon Grade is by far the most rare of the custom guns. Therefore, it could be argued that this lot is the most rare .410 model 21 of the five built between 1960 and 1982. See WINCHESTER’S FINEST THE MODEL 21 by Ned Schwing, pg 336 & 440. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, as new, appears to be unfired with only a few small scrapes on the standing breech. It retains virtually all of its bright original factory finish to both metal and wood. There is a small spot of pitting on the inside of the forend iron and another tiny spot on the right ejector hammer. There are one or two tiny nicks in the stock finish, otherwise it is near perfect. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bores. 4-53200 JR911 (35,000-50,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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