Winchester Model 42, Blue 26″ Vent-Rib Shotgun Pump/Slide Action, MFD 1948 C&R .410 Gauge

SOLD FOR: $1,831.66
LSB#: 109128SH01

Make: Winchester

Model: 42

Serial Number: 65412

Year of Manufacture: 1948

Gauge: Bore 410, 2 ¾” and 3”Shells

Action Type: Pump Action with 2/3 Length Tubular Magazine

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S. OF AMERICA / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-“, “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“, “MODEL 42-410-3 IN. CHAM” and “FULL”, the bottom of the barrel is marked “47” at the rear. The bottom of the barrel extension has an indexing arrow at the magazine tube and the serial number at the rear, the bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number at the front. The left of the rib is marked “SIMMONS GUN SPECIALTIES, INC., OLATHE, KANSAS”.

Barrel Length: 26”, Simmons Vent-Rib

Choke: Full

Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a fiber optic sight with a red fiber optic nested inside a green fiber optic at the front of the rib. The top of the rib, its extension and the top of the receiver are serrated to reduce glare.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece checkered select walnut with extended slide handle, pistol grip, straight comb and a black checkered shotgun style butt plate marked with a Winchester Repeating Arms logo. The slide handle has a few scattered light compressions. The buttstock has a few light compressions and scratches, mostly along the comb and toe-line, most will go unnoticed except on close inspection. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate. The plate has light wear at the heel and toe with a few scattered light marks in the middle, in about Fine condition. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished, likely at the time the rib was installed.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The barrel has a few scattered light marks, light wear on the bottom in front of the magazine from disassembly and a spot of finish wear on the right-rear. The magazine tube, action bar and bolt show light operational wear. The receiver has only light handling marks. The sideplate has a few tiny marks under the finish. The lifter has infrequent and very faint freckling. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. The slide release is slightly loose, able to sit down far enough that it can drift out to the side. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This is a vintage post-war Winchester Model 42 which has been upgraded with a Simmons ventilated rib and some nice checkered walnut stocks. Having seen a few of these guns over the years, we believe that the upgrades were likely done together, either at Simmons or maybe at Pachmayr, given the quality of the wood. The Model 42 was the first pump shotgun specifically designed for the .410 chambering and resembles its larger cousin the Model 12. It is in Fine condition with a few handing marks and wear spots on the barrel and magazine tube from the slide and use. The slide release is slightly loose to the frame, but this does not prevent proper function of the gun and shouldn’t be too difficult to address. This great looking shotgun is sure to find a spot in a Winchester collection or as a hunting or sporting gun. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible shotgun can be transferred in California.