This story, “The Classic American Shotgun,” appeared in the November 1998 issue of Outdoor Life. I dawdled a long while before listing Parker shotguns as American classics because I know many of the smooth bore cognoscenti will challenge the selection. Should it be considered an American classic? For this they deserve credit, because the M-21 is a great American shotgun, even if it lost its roots. In my opinion, the Model 12 Winchester is the American Classic, because more than any other shotgun it typifies American style wingshooting and the uniquely American way of making a good gun.