
Winchester Model 42 Solid Rib 26″ Full .410 Takedown Pump Shotgun, 1946 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,550
WOA#: WY240227CP012
Make: Winchester
Model: 42
Serial Number: 57302
Year of Manufacture: 1946
Gauge: .410 Bore, 3″ Chamber
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 “FULL”. 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 “57302”. The bottom of the magazine tube and the bottom of the receiver extension are marked with opposing arrow indexing marks. The barrel has “35” (1935) year marking.
Barrel Length: 26”, Solid Rib
Choke: Full, 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, capped pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered black hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The stocks have a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Fine-plus condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is stubborn fouling in the choked portion at the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its current metal finish. The new finish is generally strong throughout with the balance mostly in some minor oxidation on the magazine tube in front of the slide handle. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are generally clear, the receiver extension’s serial marking and the Winchester proofs are shallow. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine-plus condition as refinished.
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: 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 Winchester Model 42 .410 bore pump action shotgun with a 26″ solid rib full-choked barrel built in 1946. It has been equipped with a set of checkered walnut stocks with an extended slide handle. The gun has also been refinished, so it looks great for its age. Interestingly, while the receiver was finished in 1946, the barrel has a 1935 date marking. Winchester did not have a first-in, first-out system, and it was not uncommon for some parts to stay at the bottom of the bin for years before finally being assembled on a gun. Eleven years is quite the gap, but it is not impossible that this is the gun’s original barrel. 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 in their safe alongside their Model 12s and ’97s. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
