In House Shipping:
Make: Winchester
Model: 42, Catalog Number G4201S
Serial Number: 1391
Year of Manufacture: 1933, First Year Production
Gauge: 410 Bore, 2 1/2” and 3” Shells
Action Type: Pump Action with Two Thirds Length Tubular Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “-WINCHESTER / PROOF STEEL-”, “MODEL 42”, “-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK-”, “410 - 3 IN.-”, and “FULL”, and the right side is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / - NEW HAVEN, CONN. - PATENTS PENDING -”. The top rear of the barrel and the top front of the receiver each have a Winchester ovalled “WP” proof. The bottom of the receiver extension and receiver are both marked with the serial number “1391”. The bottom of the magazine tube and the bottom of the receiver extension are marked with opposing arrow indexing marks.
Barrel Length: 26”, Round
Choke: Full, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a bead at the muzzle. The top of the receiver is serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a correct pre-war grooved “corn-cob” slide handle, flat-bottom pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered hard rubber Winchester buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches with a few more notable dings. There are cracks on both sides of the wrist toward the top of the receiver. There are some areas of finish loss, primarily concentrated at the buttplate. There is some light weathering and some grain-lines are opening toward the rear of the buttstock. The LOP measures 13 7/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has some scattered light wear, though the checkering and lettering are well defined. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There are some fouling streaks down the length. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered finish wear, mostly toward the front of the receiver and the rear of the barrel, with notable finish wear on the magazine tube. There are some light nicks, scuffs, and scratches. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation. There are tool marks around some screw heads. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 42, introduced in 1933 and resembling its larger cousin the Model 12, was the first .410 pump action shotgun to be chambered for 3-inch shotshells, which made it appealing to both competitive skeet shooters and small-game and bird hunters. The Model 42 was small, light, and easy to handle.
This Winchester Model 42 Pump Action Shotgun was made in 1933, the first year of production, and is in Very Good Condition. It features a 26” barrel, 80% of its original blued finish, rugged two-piece walnut stocks with a correct pre-war grooved “corn cob” slide handle, strong mechanics, and a bright bore with some fouling streaks down the length but no erosion. There are cracks on both sides of the wrist toward the top of the receiver. There is some light weathering and some grain-lines are opening toward the rear of the buttstock. This scattergun shows wear consistent with honest use in the field. It would make a fine addition to any collection, especially if you have a new generation of shooters to train.