I own a 28 ga. Field grade, and have spent a lot of time looking at any 101"s I see over the last 10 years or so. I have examanined all my Winchester reference books, as well as the Blue Book, and here are my findings so far. Perhaps nothing new for you here. In History of Winchester Firearms, Duncan Barnes, 5th edition, an exellent section on 101. The only straight stock they show is an option in the "Lightweight" series, as taken from listing in 1980 catalog. They say that the sides and bottom or receiver has engravings of game birds. They do not list barrel lengths for this grade, but common sense says a straight stock is a lightweight "English" type of shotgun, which would have short (26 or so) and not long barrels. Also, it would probably not be bored F/F. So the mystery remains. They have a very detailed chart, showing every model and specification, and the only 30 inch, F/F is a "Field Mag." Barrels could have a white bead, or metal bead as I read it. The one thing they do NOT list in chart is type of stock grip. The straight grip is the odd thing. Does the wood match the beavertail forearm for grain, color, etc, or could it be a replacement? Perhaps both pieces of wood were replaced. I do know that the 101 has all parts serialized the same, but I have never removed the stock on mine to see if it is serialized or not. That would be interesting to know. Perhaps someone else knows if the stocks have a serial # before you tear into it. You could just remove the buttplate easily, sometimes they use a pencil serial no. there.
The Blue Book shows straight grip available in what they call a Pigeon Grade section, "Featherweight". However, the chokes and barrel lengths for this model do not agree with yours either.
Just some more fodder for your mill! I do know that every 101 actual or photograph I have ever seen was pistol grip stock, so if the straight grip, long barrel, F/F is correct, it is a rare piece indeed.
Keep us posted
David McCubbin
