Lot 156

1948/53 Catalog Cover Winchester Model 21 Shotgun Two Barrel Set

Previous image preload Next image preload

1948/53 Catalog Cover Winchester Model 21 Shotgun Two Barrel Set

Estimate: $55,000 - $85,000

Starting Bid: $47,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Iconic, Well-Documented Factory Master Engraved and Relief Gold Inlaid Winchester Model 21 Deluxe Double Barrel Shotgun Two Barrel Set Illustrated on the Cover of the 1948 and 1953 Model 21 Catalogs with Factory Letter The Winchester Model 21 was one of, if not, the finest American double barrel shotgun made during the 20th century and was the choice for innumerable sportsmen, from the trap field to the grouse woods and everywhere in between. This exceptional Model 21 was completed in 1947, just as Winchester was shifting their attention back to the civilian market after spending the last five years in full war-time production supplying the Allies during World War II and completing only a limited number of civilian arms. Winchester produced over 500,000 M1 Garands and 800,000 M1 Carbines for the war effort along with a plethora of other war materiel and was instrumental in the fight against the Axis Powers. This gun is illustrated on the cover of the 1948 Winchester Model 21 catalog, the first catalog after the war came to a close, and again on the cover of the 1953 catalog, a very high honor that this gun is truly worthy of. The gun was built for this high position under the direct supervision of renowned competition shooter and solider Major John (Jack) W. Hession (1877-1962) who also acted as the shooting promotion manager for Winchester, the capacity in which he would have been overlooking the completion of this fine shotgun given its use on the cover of promotional materials of the time. Hession competed in over 500 shooting competitions during his career, many of which he shot with his purpose built 1903 Springfield rifle which he adorned with a brass plaque listing his shooting accolades. Hession famously donated his prized rifle to the war effort in 1940, sending the rifle to England for use in the Home Guard, affixing one last brass plaque reading “For obvious reasons the return of this rifle after Germany is defeated would be deeply appreciated”, clearly he was a fine gentleman with a sense of honor, duty, as well as humor. The gun is pictured on page 367 of R. L. Wilson's "Winchester Engraving" in the chapter on the work of Alden George Ulrich in which Wilson states that the gun was built for a Dr. Russel C. Smith (note the initials on the trigger guard below) and also that the gun is photographed out of the personal collection of famed Winchester Master Engraver John Kusmit who trained under Ulrich. The gun is also pictured on pages 136 and 160 of Ned Schwing's "Winchester's Finest: The Model 21" where he also states the gun was on the cover of the 1948 catalog and that this gun's magnificent engraving was likely carried out by Master Engraver George Ulrich, a sentiment that we here at Rock Island Auction Company, John Kusmit, and R. L. Wilson all certainly agree with. The gun was built with blued Winchester Proof Steel barrels with white bead front and steel mid-bead sights on the matted concave solid rib, 1 3/4 inch wedges of floral scroll engraving at either muzzle, 3 1/2 inch wedges of scroll engraving at either breech, and "ENGRAVED UNDER/PERSONAL SUPERVISION OF/MAJ. J. W. HESSION" marked on the right flat. The barrels have chokes marked full/full and 2 3/4 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to a blued boxlock action which displays beautiful enhanced 21-6 "Grand American" pattern engraving consisting of near full coverage floral scrollwork surrounding stunning relief gold inlaid game scenes. The left side shows a setter flushing a rose gold grouse both in their own deep ovals with wooded backgrounds, the underside has a pair of standing grouse and a woodcock in flight in separate ovals, and the right has a pointer in a field scene flushing a rose gold pheasant cock, again both in their own ovals. The scroll engraving continues onto the toplever, both tangs, and the trigger guard where it encompasses the initials "R/C/S" in fine relief gold inlay. The gun features a gold single selective trigger and tang mounted non-automatic safety. The gun is mounted with a stunningly well-figured and fancy fleur-de-lis checkered and carved beavertail forend with engraved blued iron and rotary latch release as well as a pistol grip stock with engraved blued grip cap and a rounded corner leather covered recoil pad. The included factory letter confirms the above configuration including the special checkering as done by the renowned George Ulrich, "Special Engraving, gold embossed", and the extra included 28 inch barrel set when the gun was made on behalf of famed retailer P. J. O'Hare of Roseland, New Jersey, with inspection completed on May 6th, 1947. Also includes the aforementioned 28 inch 12 gauge barrels with matching engraving and chokes marked "WS-2"/"WS-1". Barrel measurements for the extra 28 inch barrel set (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .728/.729 inches; choke constriction .013/.006(jug) inches; minimum wall thickness .034/.031 inches. Barrel and stock measurements with the 30 inch barrel set (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .727/.728 inches; choke constriction .031/.031 inches; minimum wall thickness .031/.032 inches; 1 9/16 inch drop at comb; 2 1/16 inch drop at heel; 13 1/2 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 13 oz.

Manufacturer: Winchester

Model: 21

BBL: 30 inch solid rib

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 12

Finish: blue/gold

Serial Number19476

Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun

  • Provenance: Dr. Russell C. Smith; The John Kusmit Collection; The Frank Brownell Collection
  • Condition: Excellent overall, retaining 98% plus original lustrous blue finish, nearly all of the gold finish, minor handling evidence, slight deterioration on the recoil pad, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. The extra barrel set is also excellent. Do not miss out on a chance to own this truly exceptional Winchester Model 21!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Rock Island Auction will contact you shortly after the auction has completed. We will arrange for shipping and or pickup.

Rock Island Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000