There are original Win 21's that Cody has no record of. That does not mean it is the proverbial 'Lunch Box' gun which I suspect may be an 'Urban Legend'. The problem comes if the gun differs from the Cody record or if a high grade, say 21-6 with inlays or unique like a 28 gauge where big $$ can be made. I reserached a 20 gauge 21-6 with inlays of which the Cody record showed a 28 gauge Skeet. The problem with the record was that this was a letter inserted into the Winchester records where a Winchester employee had viewed a number of 21's in this collection that at the time Win had no record of and stated that they were Winchester original. That letter is in the Cody records to this day! The gun looked perfect except for a color cast on the wood I had not seen in 21's of that vintage. I didn't purchase it. I also have a 'Custom Built' 32 VR with Monte Carlo, shadow line cheek piece and 'Hession' or field beavertail. There is no record of the gun but three prominent dealers including Tony Galazan that have physically handled the gun say that it looks factory original. The wood is spectacular which is why i originally purchased it knowing that there was no record.
Personally, I would stay away from 21-6 w/inlays, Grand Americans and rare guns like 410 and 28 gauge that there is no record of because of the high price you are paying even if below market. -Dick
