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winchester model 21 mystery

chickenhawk8chickenhawk8 Member Posts: 228 ✭✭✭
edited May 2007 in Ask the Experts
Earlier I posted that I inherited an old winchester model 21 that had the serial numbers filed off. I was unsure if it was legal or not. Well I took apart the trigger guard from the stock and engraved in the wood were the #'s 23862. Is this indeed the serial #'s? If it is and after I did a little research this gun seemed to be manufactured between march 1949 and January 1951. Can this gun now be deemed legal after finding these numbers? Can I get it restamped? Thanks for any input.
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Comments

  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,046 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I RECENTLY HAD A SIMILAR CASE WERE A CUSTOMER DECIDED TO TRY HIS HAND A PARKERISING. HE DID THIS TO A JAP. BAR (THE SER. #'S ON THESE ARE JUST 'ETCHED' NOT STAMPED. ANY WAY AFTER BUFFING AND PARKERISING (NICE JOB) THERE WAS NO SER. # LEFT. HE CALLED THE ATF AND EXPLAINED ALL THIS. THEY SENT HIM A LETTER GIVING PERMISION TO RESTAMP THE SAME SER. # (WHICH HE BROUGH TO ME SO I COULD RESTAMP IT). I'D ADVISE YOU TO DO THE SAME (EVEN ALTERED THE M-21 IS WORTH A CONSIDERABLE SUM).
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  • givettegivette Member Posts: 10,886 ✭
    edited November -1
    To chickenH. You are in posession of a sanitized firearm. You now have the serial number (from the stock). What are your intentions? Selling it? Re-stamping the firearm with it's legitimate serial number will get you nowhere if the serial no. is on a hot list somewhere. It will come back to haunt you. Re-stamping the firearm with a bogus serial number is exactly the same [unlawful intent] as filing the numbers off. It will come back to haunt you. Your call. Joe

    EDIT: Mike Whiskey's advise is a very good way to handle this situation, if you so choose to take it. Best, Joe
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  • chickenhawk8chickenhawk8 Member Posts: 228 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    hey guys....I have no intention of selling it...I never did. This gun is sentimental to me. Me and my grandpaw would go and shoot birds together at my early age. I always admired the gun and he knew it. He left it to me because he knew I could take care of it and I was more of a hunter then my younger brother. I just wanted to make sure it was legal so when I could hunt w/ it I could make sure it wouldn't be taken away from me. I understand that this gun is a nice model and maybe expensive but that doesn't really matter much to me. I have newer models that work just as well. But I have always loved his side by side.
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  • only winchestersonly winchesters Member Posts: 1,580 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Good morning chickenhawk: See I told you where the serial number was!

    Now I recommend you contact Tony Galazan of www.connecticutshotgun.com He should be able to help you in getting the serial number restored onto the metal as close to factory as possible.

    You have a valueable gun here, worth a minimum of about $3500. don't let an amature ruin it any further!

    With the history you already know, this gun will "letter" from the Cody Firearms Musium. It will be worth the $55.

    Regards Dave
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  • chickenhawk8chickenhawk8 Member Posts: 228 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks Dave....I will definately pursue this avenue. I am much obliged w/ your help. This has definately made my day.
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