Model 21 16 Gauge SKEET

[budrichard]

This 26" 16 Gauge SKEET is Pre War with a nice reblue. Choked SK1/SK2 or 4 & 10 thousands restrictions. It weighs 6# 12.4oz. Model 21 SKEET's came with checkered butt standard and if straight grip, the side panels were usually checkered. Sold not only as a competition gun of the era, SKEET's were also touted as the all around upland gun. It has a Bradly red front sight.
I have used it for pheseants, rabbits and of course for SKEET.
After the War the standard barrel length was changed to 28".
Because of the lower production numbers than the 12 or 20, 16 gauge Models have become sought after. This one has all the correct markings and except for the reblue is original.-Dick
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/budrichard/Bob21case1.jpg

[Rex]

Nice gun, is the case original with the gun?

[Rex]

A friend owns an interesting 16 ga 21 Skeet gun; pg, 26 inch bbls, marked WS1 & WS2. The gun was purchased at a small gun shop on WV state route 2 near Sistersville in the 1970's. The serial number is 7xxx.

The interesting thing is the trigger plate is blank, the word "skeet" is not engraved on the trigger plate. My friend called the factory and talked to a man who pulled the Final Inspection Report (probably from that metal cabinet pictured in Schwing's book) and gave him the data including the early 1940's mfg date. When asked about the trigger plate not having the word "skeet" the factory man shrugged it off saying the gun is obviously a skeet gun and the inspection report says it is a skeet gun.

[budrichard]

Nice gun, is the case original with the gun?

Case is not original to the gun. Case was made by a retired Opthamologist.-Dick

[budrichard]

A friend owns an interesting 16 ga 21 Skeet gun; pg, 26 inch bbls, marked WS1 & WS2. The gun was purchased at a small gun shop on WV state route 2 near Sistersville in the 1970's. The serial number is 7xxx.

The interesting thing is that the trigger plate is blank, the word "skeet" is not engraved on the trigger plate. My friend called the factory and talked to a man who pulled the Final Inspection Report (probably from that metal cabinet pictured in Swing's book) and gave him the data including the early 1940's mfg date. When asked about the trigger plate not having the word "skeet" the factory man shrugged it off saying the gun is obviously a skeet gun and the inspection report says it is a skeet gun.

The attached image shows three Winchester pieces of advertizing paper. The upper right is the earliest I have and makes no mention of the 'SKEET' grade. The other two are circa 1933 and support Schwing in that the introduction of the 'SKEET' grade was 1933. So your freind's model 21 is an early gun and either it was manufactured before the 'SKEET' grade was so marked on guns or someone at Winchester forgot. Not hard to happen in those early days.-Dick

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/budrichard/Model21Skeet.jpg

[tudurgs]

I have a 20 gauge two barrel set that letters from Cody as a Skeet grade gun, and has all the correct features - long forearm, etc, but it also is unmarked on the floorplate. This particular gun is also chambered for 3" on each barrel set. 26" IC/Mod, and 28" Mod/Full

[rperlichek]

Very nice gun - The case is also very fitting to the gun.

Does the forearm have the forearm "brace"?

My post-war 16ga. "skeet" grade gun does not.

[Jess Lee]

lovely gun and case. I would love to get a case for my 16 skeet 2 barrel set.

[Ole Cowboy]

Not that matters to anyone, but I have a 16 gauge Skeet Grade, 26 in., WS1/WS2, Straight grip, completed in April 1942. I bought it in 1983. It is reported to have come from western Pennsylvania. It has a leather pad, but originally it had a checkered butt. No reinforcement in the forearm wood.
The wood is beautiful and the handling qualities are outstanding!
IMO, a 16 gauge Model 21 Skeet Grade is about as good as it gets.;)

[budrichard]

Not that matters to anyone, but I have a 16 gauge Skeet Grade, 26 in., WS1/WS2, Straight grip, completed in April 1942. I bought it in 1983. It is reported to have come from western Pennsylvania. It has a leather pad, but originally it had a checkered butt. No reinforcement in the forearm wood.
The wood is beautiful and the handling qualities are outstanding!
IMO, a 16 gauge Model 21 Skeet Grade is about as good as it gets.;)

I certainly agree that the 16 gauge Skeet is one of the most useful of all the Model 21's and I prefer the 26" barrels over the 28" although I have never owned a 28" Skeet.
The Skeet was not only for Target shooting but was marketed by Winchester as an upland gun.
Would like to see pics of your Skeet.-Dick

[Ole Cowboy]

Dick, do you have any Winchester advertisement paper that actually has "Skeet Grade" printed on it? Emphasis on the word "Grade".

[budrichard]

I maintain an extensive collection of Winchester paper as well as a seperate Model 21 paper collection which I think has every bit of paper related to the Model 21.
Yesterday before your Post, I reviewed all this material and Schwing's book.
Nowhere in any of the specific Model 21 paper or other Winchester more general catalogs, do I find a reference to the 'Skeet Grade'.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/budrichard/Model21SKEETPaperA.jpg

This page is from a Winchester foldout 'Your gun for SKEET' dated 3-33-25.

It mentions the Tournamnet Grade, Trap Grade and Custom Built.
Another Winchester general catalog of 1933 'Winchester World Standard Guns and Ammunition', repeats the above.
Schwing's book has mention of specific 'Skeet Grade' but I have to conclude from an examination of all the material that refers to what I would call a 'SKEET' gun and so marked on the floorplate. Hope this helps.-Dick