Cryptic crossword No 1,378

Hi Rawspand. I found this quite tough - there were a number of synonyms/abbreviations I did not recognise as well as some creative devices that occasionally left me floundering. I had ticks for 19a, 21a, 1d, 7d (nicely misleading def) and 17d. Spoilers in Reply. Thanks. PM

Hi Rawspand, I wanted to work this as you kindly put time into my #1376, and I found it very engaging. I note your conversation with PM. When the puzzle was good, it was very good, reminding me of the tough Guardian setters Jack and Vlad: seemingly impenetrable, but so clearly clued that the solution could be wrangled out. Ended up needing some letter reveals to give the last few, but then forgave myself for lack of GK or, if I may say it, the inherent stretchiness of the def. (e.g. in 23a)....