Welcome, if you are a newcomer to this fun bi-weekly segment of AllOutdoor.com! We are diving back into our ongoing exploration of the Winchester Model 1911SL! In our last segment, we delved deep into the fascinating history of this unique shotgun, from its development in the shadow of the Browning-Winchester breakup to its somewhat unearned “Widowmaker” reputation. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at the various grades and variations that Winchester offered during the gun’s relatively short production run from 1911 to 1925.
Curious Relics Coverage on AllOutdoor:
Welcome to our recurring series of “Curious Relics.” Here, we want to share all of our experiences, knowledge, misadventures, and passion for older firearms that one might categorize as a Curio & Relic – any firearm that is at least 50 years old according to the ATF. Hopefully along the way you can garner a greater appreciation for older firearms like we do, and simultaneously you can teach us things as well through sharing your own expertise and thoughts in the Comments. Understanding the firearms of old, their importance, and their development which lead to many of the arms we now cherish today is incredibly fascinating and we hope you enjoy what we have to share, too!
Winchester’s Tiered Approach
Like many firearm manufacturers of the era, Winchester offered the Model 1911 SL in various grades to appeal to different segments of the market. While all variants shared the same basic mechanical design (including that unique barrel-charging system we discussed extensively in Part 1), they differed significantly in aesthetics, finish quality, and price. This tiered approach was common practice, allowing manufacturers to offer something for the everyday hunter while also catering to the wealthy sportsman who expected more flourish with their function.
The Winchester Model 1911 SL was produced exclusively in 12 gauge, but it came in four distinct grades: Plain Finished, Fancy Finished, Trap Grade, and Pigeon Grade. Let’s take a closer look at each.
Plain Finished Model 1911SL
The standard “Plain Finished” Model 1911 SL was Winchester’s base offering, priced at $38.00 in 1911 (equivalent to roughly $1,270 in today’s money). This was their workingman’s shotgun, designed for the everyday hunter who needed function over form.
“Winchester Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Shotgun.” Rock Island Auction Company, https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/2075/552/winchester-model-1911-semiautomatic-shotgun. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
The Plain Finished model featured:
- Simple, durable metal finish without polishing
- Plain walnut stocks without checkering
- Semi-pistol grip stock design
- Basic wood to metal fit
- No frills or special embellishments
While certainly not fancy, these guns were solid performers and represented the vast majority of Model 1911s produced. Today, most surviving examples you’ll find are Plain Finished models. Even in their basic configuration, these guns now command respectable prices on the collector market due to their historical significance and unique operating mechanism.
Fancy Finished Model 1911SL
For the shooter who wanted a little more refinement without breaking the bank, Winchester offered the “Fancy Finished” version, priced at $56.00 (about $1,870 in today’s currency). This model was produced from 1911 to 1918, making it available for just seven years of the shotgun’s fourteen-year production run.
The Fancy Finished version included:
- Better quality walnut wood with nicer grain patterns
- Hand checkering on both the forend and the semi-pistol grip areas
- The same basic configuration as the Plain model
- Slightly better overall fit and finish
- More polished metal surfaces
This is actually the variant I own, and the checkering provides a much more positive grip when handling the firearm. While not drastically different from the Plain model in terms of functionality, the aesthetic upgrades made it more appealing to sportsmen who appreciated a touch of elegance with their field gun.
Trap Grade Model 1911SL
Moving up the line, Winchester introduced the “Trap Grade” version in 1913, which continued production until 1926. This specialized version was designed specifically for trap shooting competitions and commanded a price of $70.00 (approximately $2,340 in today’s dollars).
“Ulrich Factory Engraved Winchester 1911 Semi-Automatic Shotgun.” Rock Island Auction Company, https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/79/1457/ulrich-factory-engraved-winchester-1911-semiautomatic-shotgun. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
The Trap Grade featured:
- English-style straight stock rather than the semi-pistol grip of lower grades
- Checkering at the wrist with distinctive diamond accent pattern
- Hand checkering on the forend
- Matted barrel and selected fancy forearm and stock
- First listed at $70.00, though price increased over the years
The straight English-style stock was favored by many trap shooters of the era, who felt it provided a more consistent mounting position for the repetitive shooting required in competition. The matted barrel also served a practical purpose by reducing glare when shooting in sunny conditions at clay targets against a bright sky.
Finding a Trap Grade Model 1911 today is considerably more difficult than locating the Plain or Fancy versions. They were produced in much smaller numbers, and their association with the competitive shooting community meant they often saw regular use. I could not find any pictures of one so I used a different angle of the Pigeon grade instead.
Pigeon Grade Model 1911SL
At the top of Winchester’s Model 1911 lineup sat the prestigious “Pigeon Grade,” introduced in 1912 and also produced until 1926. With an eye-watering price tag of $150.00 (equivalent to over $5,000 oday), this was purely a luxury item meant for wealthy sportsmen and serious competitive shooters.
“Ulrich Factory Engraved Winchester 1911 Semi-Automatic Shotgun.” Rock Island Auction Company, https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/79/1457/ulrich-factory-engraved-winchester-1911-semiautomatic-shotgun. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
The Pigeon Grade boasted:
- Extensive engraving on the receiver
- The highest quality wood available
- Similar configuration to the Trap Grade with straight stock
- Checkering at the wrist and forend
- Premium fit and finish throughout
- First listed at $150.00, with price increases in later years
“Ulrich Factory Engraved Winchester 1911 Semi-Automatic Shotgun.” Rock Island Auction Company, https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/79/1457/ulrich-factory-engraved-winchester-1911-semiautomatic-shotgun. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Named for the once-popular competitive sport of live pigeon shooting (largely replaced by clay targets by this era), the Pigeon Grade represented Winchester’s highest expression of craftsmanship applied to the Model 1911 platform. These guns were not just tools but status symbols, meant to be admired almost as much as they were meant to be shot. Pigeon Grade Model 1911s are extremely rare today, with very few examples surfacing on the collector market.
End of Part II: Model 1911SL
I’ve always found it fascinating how these old gun companies would offer basically the same gun in different “flavors” to appeal to different customers and their wallets. The Model 1911 SL is a perfect example of this marketing approach. From the basic working gun to the fancy-pants engraved version, it was all the same quirky mechanism underneath. What’s really interesting is that Winchester seemed to have such faith in this design that they created these premium versions despite its unorthodox operating system. They clearly believed the gun had a future, even as the competition from Browning’s Auto-5 and its licensed variants was eating their lunch in the marketplace.
In our next installment, we’ll get into the nitty-gritty of dating these Model 1911 SLs and explore the aftermarket parts and accessories that were available for them. Until next time, keep those old guns shooting and that history alive!
In closing, I hope our Curious Relics segment informed as well as entertained. This all was written in hopes of continued firearm appreciation and preservation. We did not just realize how guns were supposed to look and function. It was a long and tedious process that has shaped the world we live in. So, I put it to you! Is there a firearm out there that you feel does not get much notoriety? What should our next Curious Relics topic cover? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
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