doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 'Identifying Winchester Model 101'

Hello Folks:

I just picked up a 101 and this baby handles gorgeous. Mounts and points like a dream for me!
#247465
26" barrels (20 gauge) skeet/skeet
Blued receiver with significant ingraving all around (no critters)
The wood looks like stuff ya see on big bucks shotguns
2 beads on the vented rib
Chambered for 3"

I sure would like to know what model I have.

I appreciate any help.

john

Just a wild guess... a skeet gun.

:-)
Chuckle.
Yup--I'm thinkin', but any particulars?

Having a real knack for grasping the obvious..........jmcg

You likely have one of the early hand engraved skeet guns(same as the field guns at that point in time, before Pigeon Grade guns) Check the barrel length and see if they are 26 1/2".

I have one of these and you are right about the handling, it is great.

When Winchester first came out with the 101 it was in 12 ga. It went for about $375.00 (mid 60's). Went into the service and was stationed in Germany, in a baracks that was next door to the Rod & Gun Club. Retired Sargent Major was in charge, asked him about the 101, and he ordered one right from Japan, no middle man, under $200.00. In June 1966 Winchester came out with a 20 ga., I really wanted that instead of the 12. He said no problem and told me that he would need 4 other buyers to get the gun for $166.85. I got the gun, 20 ga., 26" barrels imp.cyl/mod. 3" chambers, ventilated rib, nice checkering, nice finish. Serial numbered 43,000 below yours. And yes I still have it.

I bought my first Model 101 12 ga. in 1964. Retail was $250. I got it for $213. My 20 Skeet gun is #228XXX from the late '60s. BTW, the first 2 in the serial number means "20ga. frame".

Don, you are right, as I can remember now the price in the late 60's was closer to $275.00, not $375.00. I think that price it what a friend of mine payed for his 20 ga. Browning Superposed back then.
The serial number on my Winchester 101 20 ga. is 2046xx.
It is kind of semi-retired, but I think I will have to take it out for a breath of fresh air.

Didn't they have one with very nice wood called the Grand European or something
like that?

JC(AL)

I've been looking at 101s for some time trying to find the "right" one. How would you all compare the 101 and teh Superposed?

The model is usually marked on the barrels. Have to agree with Jonesy's guess. Duh!
To eeb: I would not try to compare a 101 to a Superposed. I would compare it to a Citori. The 101s are good guns. I bought my first one to get the chrome lined chambers and bores. A big plus over the Citoris and Superposeds of the earlier days. Another plus was choke tubes (101). The Superposeds are in a higher, separate class, IMO.