Well Mike, Winchester did borrow a bit from a fine Brit gun--the BSA--when it came to barrel construction on the Model 21.
Seriously . . . Winchester, when it comes to rifles and shotguns, means about as much in this country as Purdey does in yours--even though they're not at all alike. Winchester guns run the gamut from the very basic to the truly spectacular. The Model 21 was the company's sole attempt to make a fine side by side shotgun--and mechanically, it is that. It was the last of the American side by side classics to appear. The Model 21 has modern dimensions, is capable of digesting modern ammunition, and is incredibly strong. Compared to the other American classic doubles, not many 21's were made--especially not in the smaller bores. I'm sure you'll hear more from the real Model 21 fans. I've owned a few, shot them well enough, but am not in love with them to the degree some others are. I'll leave it to them to add their views about the mystique of the Model 21.
