GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT 20 GAUGE WINCHESTER MODEL 21 FACTORY CUSTOM FINISHED AND GOLD INLAID SHOTGUN PRESENTED TO FIVE STAR GENERAL AND FIRST CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, OMAR BRADLEY WITH CASE AND LEATHER "SPEED LOADING" BAG.WINCHESTERSXS 213100120W/LEATHER CASE, LEATHER BAG, CL. RODMODERN; C&R; ESA(1954) Cal. 20 ga. This unique Winchester shotgun finished on lines of the one made for Dwight Eisenhower in 1950 (which is presently at the NRA National Firearms Museum), has 28" bbls with slightly raised matted rib engraved "CUSTOM BUILT BY WINCHESTER FOR GENERAL OMAR N. BRADLEY" in milled out portion of rib. There are no chamber or Winchester markings on sides or tops of bbls. Engine turned bbl flats are stamped with SN, gauge, and "3 IN CHAMB." Bottoms of bbls are stamped "WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL" and with chokes "IC" and "Mod". Small sized blued flat side action has all correct markings on engine turned water table, and is engraved in "21-3" style with sprays of well cut shaded scroll. Instead of the usual game scene on trigger plate, five gold stars are inlaid arranged around a pentagon, as is the insignia for the rank of 5 star general (General of the Army). (Omar Bradley was the last of only nine people to hold this rank in the US Armed Forces.) This gun is equipped with automatic safety and gold plated single selective trigger. Exceptionally fine, straight grip, dense American walnut buttstock has attractive feather crotch figure which extends beyond crotch figured area into a fiddle back type pattern. Stock features composition Winchester buttplate, point pattern checkering, and a gold oval on toe line engraved "ONB". Matching braced beavertail forend with inset ebony tip, has engine turned iron. Bore diameter: left -.614, right - .614. Bore restrictions: left - .008 (IC), right - .004 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .033, right - .034. Drop at heel: 2-3/8", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Neutral cast. Weight: 6 lbs. 11 oz. LOP: 14". Gun is accompanied by a tan leather leg o' mutton case, with end cap gold embossed "OMAR N. BRADLEY" and a speed loading English shell bag with "O. N. B." on closing tab, which contains some cleaning equipment, a duck call, and another unknown "call" of some sort. PROVENANCE: Voluminous Wikipedia data relating the life and career of Omar N. Bradley "the GI's general". CONDITION: Excellent. Retaining over 90% of the finish on wood and metal, with a few light marks on bbls, ivory front beads, some silvering on sharp edge wear around bottom of action and on forend latch and trigger guard. There are some light marks in stock finish. Checkering lightly worn. Bores are excellent. Mechanically fine. Leg o mutton case is fine, as restored with some new straps and hinge. Loading bag is good. 52400-1 MGM239 (100,000-200,000)