Winchester Model 42 Skeet 26″ Solid Rib Straight Grip .410 Pump Shotgun C&R
SOLD FOR: $2405
LSB#: 210930TP78
Make: Winchester
Model: 42 Skeet Grade
Serial Number: 17447
Year of Manufacture: 1934
Gauge: .410 Bore, 3” Shells
Action Type: Pump Action with Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked -“WINCHESTER / PROOF STEEL”-, “MODEL 42”, -“WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“-, “.410-3 IN.-” and “SKEET”, the right of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / -NEW HAVEN, CONN.-PATENTS PENDING-“. The top of the barrel is marked with the “WP” proof mark to the left of the rib and this same mark is on the top of the receiver. The bottom of the receiver extension and receiver are both marked “17447”. The bottom of the magazine tube and the bottom of the receiver extension are marked with opposing arrow indexing marks. The bottom of the barrel at the rear is marked “17787” over the magazine tube.
Barrel Length: 26”, Solid Rib
Choke: Skeet, fixed.
Sights / Optics: There is a silver colored bead at the front of the rib. The top of the receiver has a flat, serrated groove for an aiming plane. The top of the rib is finely serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece checkered walnut with extended slide handle, straight grip, and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The stocks show light handling wear with some scattered minor marks. There are a few light nicks and scratches in the belly and comb. There is a tiny crack in the top of the wrist where it meets the receiver. There are no chips. The checkering is well defined, mostly sharp. The LOP measures 13 3/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear, mostly around the edges, with well defined checkering and lettering. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: The receiver has been refinished, other parts’ finish appears Original to the parts. The non-matching number on the barrel indicates it is not original to the gun, but it is close enough that it may have been a factory error. See Our Assessment for more.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning lightly at some edges. The majority of the balance of the finish is in light operational wear on the bottom-sides of the barrel from the slide handle, on the magazine tube, action bar, bolt and lifter. There are a few other scattered minor marks and the receiver has a few tiny spots of faint erosion under its finish. The receiver’s finish has a very faint plum hue. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the receiver serial marking is shallow in some places, mostly on the “4”s. . Overall, this shotgun is in Fine-Excellent condition as restored.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. 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 Winchester Model 42 Skeet Grade .410 bore pump action shotgun with solid rib barrel built in 1934. The gun has a 26″ barrel with a solid rib and checkered straight stock and extended slide handle. The Model 42 was the first pump shotgun specifically designed for the .410 chambering and resembles its larger cousin the Model 12. This particular example has an intriguing barrel marking, it is the first we have seen with a serial number marked on the bottom of the barrel. While the receiver and barrel extension are marked “17447”, the barrel has “17787”, just close enough that it is plausible that this was a factory error when assembling the gun. In any case, this is a classic and classy Skeet gun, slim and fast-handling and, having been restored, it is in beautiful condition. This shotgun is sure to find a spot with a shooter who can appreciate a quality vintage Winchester as a shooter or with a collector who needs a 42 Skeet in their safe alongside their Model 12s and ’97s. Please see our photos and good luck!