Winchester Model 42, 410 Shotgun

albayo

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I am looking for information on Winchester Model 42 .410 shotgun.
It has a plain 30" barrel with 3" chamber and full choke with plain stocks.
How can you tell if its a trap or skeet or an ordinary shotgun?
I received it in a trade and don't really know much about them.
Are they a takedown gun, as the barrel and mag assembly feels like there is some play.
I have info on lots of guns but find I am really lacking information on shotguns.
Are there any good source books on the subject of foreign SXS and regular pump action shotguns?

Thanks in advance for reading this, and if anyone can be of assistance I would appreciate it.

Al
 
I'm not familiar with this model, but did find this information -

"Designed by William Roemer and introduced in 1933, the Model 42 Slide Action Shotgun was chambered exclusively for .410 gauge in 3" and 2-1/2" shells. The Model 42 was produced from 1933 thru 1963, with a production of about 160,000.

Referred to as “Everybody’s Sweetheart”, variations include: Standard Grade, Deluxe Grade, Trap Grade, Skeet Grade and Pigeon Grade. Various chokes, barrel lengths, plain barrels, solid ribs, ventilated ribs, engraving patterns, and checkering patterns were offered.

There are no factory records available for this model."
 
It is most likely a standard grade. All 42s are takedown. Are you sure that the barrel is 30 inches long? The standard lengths for Model 42shotguns were 26 and 28 inches long. Grades above standard had checkered stocks. Standard grades had plain pistol grips with no grip caps. Bolts on higher grade 42s were jeweled typically.

42s are fun guns to own. They make a good grouse shotgun, and are fun skeet guns.
 
... Are you sure that the barrel is 30 inches long?....

Unusual to say the least. 410 Trap Gun ...hardly ... and 30" full choked Skeet Gun ... not very likely either.

Without photos & measuring, it sounds a lot like a 38" standard grade field gun. But a Mod. 42 is none-the-less
a great little 410 pump gun ... probably the best ever. They were very poplar Skeet guns back in the 50's & early
60's. Barney Hartman, the C.I.L. "Industry Shooter" used one to great effect, setting a few records along the way !
His ( I've seen & shot it ) was a 26" with over barrel & Simmons rib.
 
Wirehair. I have a couple friends with drahts and one running a pudelpointer and another a Griff. The duck commander would be proud to see all the bearded mutts.
 
They are high quality, sought after guns and quite valuable. If in good shape, that could be a $1,000 gun. Collectors love them. They are light, fast handling, well made. It is a .410 after all, so you'd better be a pretty capable wingshooter. You scored a gem without knowing it, even if it's "just" a field model.
 
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