Winchester Model 42 G4203S 26″ CYL .410 Takedown Pump Shotgun, MFD 1950 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1175
LSB#: 220527VH012
Make: Winchester
Model: 42, Catalog No. G4203S
Serial Number: 97717
Year of Manufacture: 1950
Gauge: .410, chambered for 3” Shells
Action Type: Pump Action Shotgun, Tubular Magazine, Takedown
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 “CYL”. The bottom-rear of the barrel is marked “51”. 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 “97717”. The bottom of the magazine tube and the bottom of the receiver extension are marked with opposing arrow indexing marks.
Barrel Length: 26”
Choke: Cylinder Bore, Fixed
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a silver-colored bead fixed to the front of the barrel. There is a sighting plane on the top of the receiver which is serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with post-war flat-bottom flat-backed grooved slide handle, pre-war flat-bottom pistol grip, fluted straight comb, and a checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The stocks have light handling wear with some nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a repaired chip-loss at the top-front of the wrist. The LOP measures 14” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear and spots of stubborn white residue with well defined checkering and lettering. Overall, the stocks rate in Very Good condition as repaired.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are some scattered minor scuffs and scratches. There is scattered minor surface oxidation, mostly on the receiver, but with discoloration from oxidation in the portions of the magazine tube which are exposed when the action is closed. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This is a vintage post-war Winchester Model 42 .410 bore pump action shotgun manufactured in 1956. The Model 42 was the first pump shotgun specifically designed for the .410 chambering and resembles its larger cousin, the Model 12. This is a nice example with a 26″ Cylinder Bore barrel chambered for 3? shells and without any rib. While the barrel has the year marking “51” on it, serial records from the Ned Schwing book “The Winchester Model 42” indicate that this receiver was manufactured in mid-late December of 1950 and Winchester did not use parts in a first in-first out fashion. The first batch of barrels made in 1951 would have gone right on the top of the parts bin and could easily have been installed on a late 1950 receiver when it was assembled. This practice also would sometimes result in older parts remaining in the bottoms of the bins, sometimes for years, until assembly overtook production and the older parts were revealed. That could account for the pre-war style buttstock on this 1950 vintage gun. In any case, the gun is in Very Good condition, showing honest wear consistent with use over the last 70 years, retaining a great bore and strong mechanics. This would be a gun for clays or in the field as well as a nice addition to a Winchester collection. Good luck and happy bidding!