Fox Collectors

Before Christmas our local Vintager’s group had a pheasant hunt. After the hunt three of us went to a nearby sporting clays course to shoot a round. This course also has a nice adjoining gun shop geared towards target shooters. In the bottom of the counter was a Model 21 Standard Grade 20 gauge.

After shooting I looked the gun over and while it had been used and wasn’t a closet queen it was tight, on face and in good serviceable condition. The price was a tad high but within reason. Over the holidays I kept thinking about that gun. On January 2nd I called to see if the gun was still there. I made the 45 minute trip with bore, chamber and barrel wall thickness gaiges in tow. After a thorough inspection I made an offer. The gun was on consignment so the owner was contacted and we landed on a price.

A 1948 Standard (field) Grade gun w/28” M/F barrels. SST and ejectors of course, along with/a factory beavertail. Very nice wood underneath the dull finish and an added Pachmayr (sp) pad. I’ve had a chance to shoot it on sporting clays a couple of times now and am very happy with how it fits me and how I shoot it.

Now the dilemma of deciding if I have the wood refinished, Winchester pad added to replace the black Pachmayr and, and, or do I just leave as is and enjoy it for what it is! Either way very happy with this gun. The first Mdl 21 I’ve owned in about 10 years.

If it was mine I would just change the pad. If you refinish the wood it would not match the condition of the rest of the gun. Nice example congratulations!!

I'm with Craig on this. Depending on the LOP, either a Winchester pad or a Winchester butt plate. Nice find.

proud for you, enjoy

DarylC wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2025 9:28 am I'm with Craig on this. Depending on the LOP, either a Winchester pad or a Winchester butt plate. Nice find.

Thanks for the feedback. That was my initial thoughts. I purchased a NOS Winchester pad from a friend and will probably go that route. Given the LOP I will need the pad vs. a butt plate.

Nice gun Brett. Congratulations!

Yup, 1922 Winchester pad, no refinish. Great minds think alike.

Def on the Winnie pad.....def NOT on the refinish.

If the pad is too bright, soak a cotton ball in soy sauce and apply generously, drying it in a sun-drenched window for a day after each application. It'll not only age the pad 50+ years, but every time you pull the trigger, you'll be craving an egg roll!!

That's an interesting one for sure. Not the typical Standard grade. Even has a chunk of fancy wood on it! Curious what the letter will say build code wise?

I picked up a 1939, 21, Standard 20 last year myself. Getting it cleaned up currently. A bit more of a Standard, Standard 26" IC/MOD splinter, DT and the nicer pistol grip like yours.

What does it weigh?

I had the chance to buy one in 16 gauge that was in perfect condition and priced right but I could not get past the fact that it weighed just over 7 pounds. It just was too heavy for my head to get around in a subgauge gun.

ROMAC wrote: ↑Wed Jan 29, 2025 8:50 am What does it weigh?

I had the chance to buy one in 16 gauge that was in perfect condition and priced right but I could not get past the fact that it weighed just over 7 pounds. It just was too heavy for my head to get around in a subgauge gun.

Roger,
I haven’t weighed the gun yet but will do this weekend. So far I’ve only shot sporting clays with it so the weight has been a benefit. I ordered the e-mail version from Cody so it doesn’t include weight. The order sheet is available on this gun so more info would be available on the order sheet.

Brett i own one just like it except factory butt plate is still present. Bobby

Foxnut wrote: ↑Fri Jan 31, 2025 7:58 am

ROMAC wrote: ↑Wed Jan 29, 2025 8:50 am What does it weigh?

I had the chance to buy one in 16 gauge that was in perfect condition and priced right but I could not get past the fact that it weighed just over 7 pounds. It just was too heavy for my head to get around in a subgauge gun.

Roger,
I haven’t weighed the gun yet but will do this weekend. So far I’ve only shot sporting clays with it so the weight has been a benefit. I ordered the e-mail version from Cody so it doesn’t include weight. The order sheet is available on this gun so more info would be available on the order sheet.

I was able to find one in 12 gauge that had 26 inch barrels and open chokes that weighed about the same for a much better price.

Very nice. Except for replacing the pad, keep it as it is and soon it will be the only 20-gauge Model 21 that has not been refurbished by CSMC or others!!

Several decades ago my first quality 20-gauge was a pre-war 20-gauge, 26-inch, Model 21 with ejectors, beavertail and double triggers. It weighed a fraction of an ounce over seven pounds and flowed down the river of commerce when I got a 28-inch, 20-gauge Sterlingworth that weighed 5 pounds 14 ounces for a third of what I sold the 21 for. Now, one of my favorite guns to shoot is a standard weight 20-gauge, 28-inch, Superposed that weighs a fraction of an ounce over seven pounds!!

Roger’s post got me thinking about the weight of this gun. After doing a thorough cleaning this afternoon I put it on my digital scale. 6 lbs 12.5 oz. I can handle that.