Page 252 - Demo

250
LOT 358
Elaborate Factory Game Scene Engraved and Gold Inlaid
Winchester Model 21 Double Barrel Shotgun with Extensive
Factory Letter - Serial no. 22228, 12 gauge, 32 inch vent rib bbl.,
chokes, single trigger, selective ejectors, rounded frame, and straight grip Monte Carlo stock when the gun was built for A. M. Holter Hardware Company of Helena, Montana on behalf of a Lee Yealy. Lee Yealy can be found in period newspapers along with scores from his trap shooting events, including his win in doubles and share of the singles win in the 1933 Montana trap season as well as a 1956 date article proclaiming him the oldest trap shooter in Montana. A very interesting annotation stating “Gun taken by A. A. Berzinis
for photography - January 20, 1949” is present on the letter. Albin A. Berzinis is listed as helping in the production of the film “Winchester ‘73” in “Showman Shooter: The Life and
blue/gold finish, walnut stock. Blued
Winchester Proof Steel barrels with dual bead Times of Herb Parsons” by H. Lynn and Jerry M. Parsons as well as being pictured and
sights on the engraved Grecian fret pattern, which functions as the matting on the vent rib, gold inlaid “WINCHESTER” on the rib, 2 3/4 inch
wedges of scroll engraving at either breech with gold inlaid bands and scrolls, chokes marked “IMP. MOD.”/”FULL”, and 2 3/4 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The blued rounded boxlock action displays full coverage floral scroll engraving surrounding four separate gold inlaid game scenes. The left shows a setter in a field scene, the underside has a pair of pheasants in a field, the triggerguard shows a running springer spaniel, and the right side has another setter on the hunt, all rendered in wonderfully detailed bas relief gold inlay. The gun features a single selective gold trigger and a non-automatic tang mounted safety switch. Nicely figured, multi-point checkered beavertail forend with ebony tip inlay and engraved fittings, including the rotary latch release, and straight grip Monte Carlo stock with a three letter monogram in the inscription shield (“LJY”) and a replacement Pachmayr White-Line recoil pad. The included factory letter confirms the engraving and gold inlay, barrel length, vent rib matting pattern, non-automatic safety,
referred to as in charge of special guns for Winchester at the time this gun was built. It
is very possible that Berzinis photographed this gun for an issue of popular “Winchester Life” magazine. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both measure .731 inches; choke constriction .019/.036 inches; minimum wall thickness .032/.033 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 1/2 inch drop at heel; 14 1/8 inch length of pull; weight 8 lbs 4 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 95% plus blue and 99% gold finishes, light handling evidence, and a slight rub on the triggerguard shoe. The wood is very good with scattered dings and scratches, hardened recoil pad, and crisp checkering. The rib is slightly loose at the base, otherwise mechanically excellent. This special order Model 21 is the most factory documented Winchester RIAC has had the honor of offering! For the serious collector it does not get much better than this!
Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000