GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
Lot #1499:
WINCHESTER, SXS MDL 21, W38189, 16, 20, 28, 410, MODERN, PROV, 4BBL SET W/CASE, 11 ACCESS, 8 SNAP CAPS
THE HOLY GRAIL OF WINCHESTER MODEL 21'S. A FOUR BARREL SMALL GAUGE SET TITLED "THE MILLENNIUM MODEL 21 WINCHESTER" WITH SUPERB THREE COLOR RELIEF GOLD AND PLATINUM INLAY BY A TEAM OF ENGRAVERS HEADED BY ANGELO BEE, WITH BRASS MOUNTED TRUNK CASE AND ACCESSORIES.WINCHESTERSXS MDL 21W3818916, 20, 28, 4104BBL SET W/CASE, 11 ACCESS, 8 SNAP CAPS,MODERNCal. 16, 20, 28, and .410. Four sets of 28" bbls choked "IC" and "Mod", with raised, ventilated ribs, are engraved "CUSTOM BUILT BY WINCHESTER" on milled out portions of ribs. Each bbl set has Winchester markings for model and gauge on tops of right bbls, and with duplicate information without "Winchester", on lefts. Engine turned bbl flats are also marked with SNs, gauge, and chamber information. Flats of .410 set have recesses milled out to lighten. Unusual 20 gauge flat side action has water table milled out for lighter weight. According to his article in "THE DOUBLE GUN JOURNAL" regarding this unusual set, Edward Ulrich states: "Among the hundred plus barrels which I obtained in the buyout of the Winchester Custom Shop, was a set of 16 gauge barrels in the white. The barrels were different at the chamber end, but I didn't know just how different until I was about to have the Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company build a 16 gauge M-21 for me with some special features using these 16 ga barrels." "When CSMC tried to fit or match the 16 ga barrels to the 16 ga frame we got quite a surprise. The chamber end of the barrels would not match. The barrels were way off center and were not wide enough to fit the 16 ga. frame. What we discovered was that this set of barrels was made to accommodate a 20 ga. frame." "So, what this is all about is a Model 21 four gauge set: 16, 20, 28, and .410 gauge all in one frame. It has been appropriately named "The Millennium Model 21 - SN 2000EEU" since it was started in the late 1990's!" This small, flat sided action with gold plated single selective trigger has been embellished by a team of engravers including Rocco Capece, Richard Roy, and Paul Lantuch, all headed by Angelo Bee, as chief project engraver. This spectacular engraving which spills onto the first 3" of each bbl set, consists of red and yellow gold, along with platinum in well done high relief inlay over a matte black background, with images of trees and limbs ghosting through. The right side of action depicts a flock of gold and platinum doves winging over open cropland with background outlined in red and yellow gold. Platinum clouds are in sky. Right side shows four gold snipe with platinum undersides, flying over marsh with water in red gold. Reeds and rushes are in yellow gold. A covey of quail erupt from a thicket on trigger plate, with horizon in red gold. Platinum cumulus clouds loom over scene. On the bottom of action, quail scene is flanked by platinum and gold scroll with multi-color floral highlights and terminations. This same treatment is used on the top of action continuing on to top lever which has yellow and platinum hummingbird on pivot. Thumbpiece is pierced and engraved with the head of a quail. Butterflies are on fences, and each bbl set has a flying quail on right side and a dove on left surrounded by more raised gold and platinum scroll interspersed with flowers. The trigger guard with more raised scroll on bow surrounding a flying woodcock, has two dragon flies and more flowers on tang. Top tang has gold inlaid rectangle engraved "2000 E. E. Ulrich". This impressive inlay and overall composition certainly makes a bold statement for this unique Winchester set. The engraving is complemented by a stock made from a spectacular piece of feather crotch figured American walnut which is "no. 6" carved with fleur-di-lis and ribbons at grip, and terminates in a skeleton steel buttplate, also with raised platinum and gold scroll. In addition side panels are relief carved with large acanthus scroll. Stock and other work is by master gunsmiths Bill Smith of Olin - Winchester and Richie Mlynarski of CSMC. Each bbl set has its own dedicated beavertail forend numbered one through four on loops and tips of irons, as well as in raised gold on forend latches. Latches and irons continue the raised red gold, gold, and platinum scroll motif. The "no 6" carving on each forend is complemented by more relief carved acanthus scroll at back ends. Drop at heel: 2-3/16", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Neutral cast. Weight with 28 ga bbls: 7 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". This amazing set is housed in a blue leather covered purpose built brass mounted trunk case with brass corners and central oval medallion engraved "E. E. U." Interior is lined in purple suede and has Winchester Repeating Arms Model 21 label in lid. Bottom section has space for all four sets of bbls, and a lift out tray is french fitted for action and a number of high quality accessories including horn handled chamber brush, three turnscrews, gold plated oil bottles, and a set of snap caps for each gauge. A Damascus bladed "Loveless" style knife with horn handle and brass bolsters marked "Galazan" is also provided. An open compartment contains cleaning equipment and keys. All in all an incredible outfit. PROVENANCE: Consignors notes, including copy of DGJ article and many photographs. CONDITION: Extremely fine, essentially as new, appears unfired, with only a few minor handling and assembly marks in all finishes. Mechanically crisp. Case is excellent, with a few scuffs on tray. 52617-1 MGM291 (50,000-70,000)