Winchester Model 42 .410 bore 26” Pump Action Shotgun 3” chamber 1961
SOLD FOR; $1,490.00
LSB#: LSB250521GJ043
Make: Winchester
Model: 42
Serial Number: 148955
Year of Manufacture: 1961(The Winchester Book – George Madis)
Gauge: .410 3” Shells
Action Type: Pump / Slide Action, Tube Magazine Fed Takedown Shotguns
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER/TRADE MARK/ MODEL 42-410-3 IN. CHAM./ MADE IN USA – WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL – / FULL.” Magazine tube and receiver are both marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 26”
Choke: FULL
Sights / Optics: White plastic bead fixed to the top of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: Single piece wooden stock with pistol grip and hard-rubber Winchester butt-plate. The toe of the stock has about a ¼” chunk missing and there are numerous scratches and dents consistent with heavy field use. Stock rates a Fair Condition. Foregrip is corrugated on the sides and flat/smooth on the bottom and is in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion. There are small areas of probable oxidation in the choke. Bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. There is notable operational wear, with the leading edges all showing blueing loss The screw heads are mostly sharp, the markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates a Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This shotgun takes down in seconds for easy storage and maintenance. 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: Only 159,353 Model 42s were made. This might seem like a lot until one considers that over 2 million of the very similar Model 12s were manufactured. Despite their similarities, the Model 42 is its own gun – being designed from the beginning as a .410 bore by William Roemer. Roemer began work on the 42 in 1928 and received patents for the receiver and internal parts in 1933. William Roemer was, in his 42 years at Winchester, a draftsman, engineer, gun designer, and chief gun designer.
When the Model 42 was introduced, it was chambered in 3” – the first .410 to be so – and it accompanied the rollout of the new Super X 3” .410 ammunition from Winchester. This upgrade brought the .410 to “equal the performance of a 28 gauge gun” according to Winchester Catalogue number 89, dated 1934.
This particular model 42 has seen some use, but is still in very fine mechanical shape. It would make a nice addition to a Model 12 collection or a good utility brush gun. Please see our photos. -C.B.
