Some of us want NIB specimens that haven't been fired since leaving the factory. Some of us just want a nice shooter grade gun. To each, his own.

I am beginning the search for a nice Winchester model 21 side-by-side shotgun. Haven't even decided on a gauge yet between 12 or 20.

Perusing the internet I stumbled on what might be the largest collection of Model 21's in private hands. I didn't get an exact count but it would appear to be over several dozen shotguns (he has 15 consecutively serial numbered to give you an idea of a starting point).

Anyway, the owner says that the ones he personally ordered from the Winchester Custom Shop haven't even been removed from the box and assembled. Haven't even had the barrel and action together since leaving the factory. I know, to each his own, but does that strike anyone else as a little bit odd?

Yes indeed!

Andy

Not if you are a busy person. Seriously though, if you are a collector and have plenty of them, I can see just leaving a new one alone.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

No, not me! I have a 2010 Camaro SS that I bought and just stored. It has 78 miles on it. Is that a bit odd?!

A lot easier to do with a gun!

BTW, I do have 3 O/U shotguns just like that.

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SWCA 2082

A coworker and I both got collector grade M1 rifles from the CMP. Mine now has over 1,000 rounds through it. His is still in the grease it came in. Guess who has had more fun.

Ted

Don't have much to add....saw your signature. You must be in MD. Ron Smith, the voice of reason, truly is missed.

To each his own, but wouldn't it have been a lot cheaper to just take a few pictures at the Chevy dealer if all you're gonna do is look at it once in a while?

Well, I get to sit in it and smell new leather whenever I want to. Kind of like having it in the safe. I'm going to be tempted to get it out and drive it this summer though. Bought it in the summer of 2009, I should see if something happens while it is still under warranty.

I did take a pic of my next one, in the showroom, waiting for me. We haven't finished the deal yet.

2012 2SS/RS Convertible, Hurst 6 spd manual..

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SWCA 2082

Yes and no.
As a shooter, yes, it is odd.
As a person who understands the desire to stack 'hard currency' (though I cannot afford to), no. His money will do as well there as in most stocks, and it is more fun to own.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I find it next to unbeliveable. Unless it is someone rich as getty or warren buffett. There are liars all over. Once when I was on a trip we stopped in a cafe. There was some old BSer there telling how he had been a lockheed test pilot and flew the SR-71. Funny, I was a guard there and knew them all. He wasnt one of them. I never blew his cover either.

Thinking about it, I could be wrong. 30 years ago I bought two shotguns for 1/2 price on some fantastic sale with the idea of turning them at a profit. The BSS 12 gauge I shot just once and the ithica supream skeet 20 gauge I never shot. I have others I shoot. I am far from rich, so I suppose there are rich guys that are more nuts then me.
It`s just hard to belive someone would order a super expensive custom gun and not at least put it together and at least "heft" it to feel the fit or roll around on the floor with it.
I am thinking about selling these guns and a few more one day as I dont want theresa to get a nickle on the dollar when they plant me.

I can appreciate that in terms owning those pristine shotguns as an investment condition is everything.

My question then becomes, what sort of premium does having never been removed from the box and assembled add to the value, versus an identical gun in identical condition that has been removed from its box and stored in a safe but not further handled? I realize/assume you may not be a Winchester 21 expert so I ask just in general terms of any highly collectable firearm, such as a S&W.

That is what I am trying to wrap my mind around also. I understand not shooting them and storing them as an investment, but to not even affix the barrels to the action after having spent tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars on "made to MY specs" custom orders? I'd at least want to shoulder the things once before I put it in the safe.

PS Nice shotguns, Merril.

The Model 21 is a nice SxS. I have one in my collection and I have shot skeet with it, but only on nice days! I don't think I could bring myself to shoot a truly NIB example, but I sure wouldn't mind owning one!





I may know who you're referring to. If I'm correct, this Model 61 deluxe shot came out of his collection.

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"I also cook."

trying to find a price differance on a 21 that has been snapped together and not shot and finding a NIB that hasnt even been put together must be a mute point! How many can there be like that for sale to even compare prices?
I cant even guess how many new guns I bought 40 years ago that I didnt even ask for the box! It really wasnt considered as big of a deal back then as now. I bet I could have hauled off a truck load of them at no charge from some big dealers I knew back then!

For what it's worth, back in 2007 I bought two 4 5/8" Ruger New Vaqueros in .45 Colt that I was to use in Cowboy Action Shooting. They are the case colored models, which by the way are no longer produced.
One is still in the NIB, never removed. The other is still like new, even though I shoot it occasionally.
To each their own.

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

It would not add much in my estimation. It does make potential buyers salivate more, and quicker.

The fact is, if you don't remove it and snap it together, you CAN'T slip and ding it or scratch it. Have you ever watched someone fumbling with a SxS, O/U, or combo gun, trying to put it together? Clang-clang-clang. It can make you cringe.
I'm not afraid of tearing into any gun, but some folks should always wear loafers. I'm not sure they could tie laceups.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Like the Big Gorilla said, I personally could'nt do it but....
Buying older/new condition firearms that are'nt made anymore
and socking them away for a rainy day makes for better returns
than my 401K has been doing last few years. Or alot of investments.
Again, to each his own.


chuck

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They hold no Quarter

A friend of mine bought a NIB Browning Belgium Sweet 16 that was made in 1957. He bought it last year and paid $1200 for it. Now he has yet to shoot it or even assemble it.

Do not sell it yet. I will make sure I give her a quarter on the dollar for it but only because you are such a great guy.

When I did a LOT of International travel for Lockheed (and General Dynamics), I had a co-worker that used the "test pilot" story on the flight attendants. He always got a upgrade to first class, and I had to be content with either coach or business class.

I am not worthy!

Is a car that hasn't been driven or sat in the same class as a Smith and Wesson that hasn't been shot, had the cylinder turned, or taken out of the box?

Wherether first class, coach, or business class, doesn't all the passengers arrive at the destination the same time??

How does he know its all complete or will fire?

I've got a 50th Anniversary Ruger .22 Pistol that I ordered NIB and never put a round in it. I have another, older one, just like it that I shoot occasionally. Anything is possible, I guess.

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'Merica!

I think I have some old cans of unopened soup and paint. Wonder if I can get a premium price for them?
Sure would like to find a original Hawkin new in the box! I have several commeratives I never shot. I bought them because I got them cheap and intended on rolling them over. Never did, and never shot them either. There used to be some speculation that they werent finished up as nice as the standard models as the thinking was they wouldnt be used anyway. It looks to me like they actualy put more finishing on them than standard models, yet when you find a old commemative it usualy sells for less than a like well used standard model. I suppose they might be a good buy for someone looking for that model to actualy use!
I have two, a texas wagon train 544 44-40 and a american historical fondation General george patton made by uberti that is silver plated and engraved. Never shot either, but I have a real colt sa to shoot, so why? Awhile back I sold someone here a texas ranger model 19 and knife. I had bought it new in the seventys when they came out and had never shot it. I should have carried it and shot it!

How does he know that's exactly what he has in each box?

Jimmy, it's not the destination it's the journey. I spent almost 10 hours flying yesterday, and the additional cost of "business class" is well worth it. You get off the plane feeling semi rested and civil instead of dirty and mean.

That's an amazing gun.
LIKE.
I've never seen a deluxe 61 shot.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Life is a journey, not a destination.

Everybody up here in New York knows that.

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'Merica!

I didn't get the first picture until now. Beautiful.

LIKE

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Dum vivo cano

That is an amazing 61.



chuck

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They hold no Quarter

I'd "LIKE" more pictures of the 61.

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Dum vivo cano

I accumulate collectable shooters.
Guns which I can shoot as much as I want without worrying that I am causing the value to go down.

If fact, the more I shoot them the more I like 'em. Especially if shot with family and friends.

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Buy American
Vote Responsibly

Every gun I own I shoot. I have no plans of selling them. When I go to the big gun range in the sky my 3 sons will get them. Even if I cut the price in half, I will have had the enjoyment of shooting them and my sons will still make out as they have nothing invested in them.

I also have a 63 Ford convertible that I drive a lot and my grand children eat ice cream and burgers and fries in the back seat. Hey the ice cream will wipe off.

Ted

Sounds like a well devised and executed plan to me!

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Buy American
Vote Responsibly

If I own a gun I have to fire it. No safe Queens here, but I do care for them as best as possible. If I had unlimited funds I might feel differently, but I generally only buy one example of a specific firearm.

15 years ago I bought two Browning Shotguns, both new in the box. One was a Superposed (Grade ll) built in 1958, new and un-fired in its original case. The other was an A-5 NIB as well, built in 1957. They were both purchased for hunting, Sporting Clays, informal Skeet & Trap. My hunting buddy's thought I was bonkers when I took both of them Pheasant Hunting for the first time, but they are now my favorite and most used shotguns and I absolutely enjoy using them. Although they both now have many THOUSANDS of shells through them (and one or two minor dings from the Field), they are both in excellent shape and still look terrific!

Chief38

Here is a couple of Colts the bottom one is a 45 Colt (1967)bought in 1968,never had the hammer pulled back,the top is a Colt 22 ACE same shape probably I`ll never shoot them.
Dick