Winchester Model 42 Standard Grade .410 Bore Pump-Action Shotgun, 26-Inch Full Choke, 1948 Production
Built in 1948, this Winchester Model 42 Standard Grade is a takedown pump-action shotgun chambered exclusively for .410 bore. Known among hunters and skeet shooters as “Everybody’s Sweetheart,” the Model 42 offers the scaled-down handling of the famed Model 12 in a lightweight, collector-worthy package. This example features Winchester’s 26-inch fixed full-choke barrel, a 3-inch chamber, and the original blued finish over steel with walnut furniture.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good – Shows some pitting and wear, particularly on the receiver, with scuffs on the walnut stock and forend.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained bore with minor wear marks.
Specific Condition Notes: The action cycles, and all mechanical functions appear solid despite the surface wear noted above.
What’s Included
- Winchester Model 42 Standard Grade .410 bore shotgun (takedown configuration)
This shotgun retains its 26-inch steel barrel factory-fitted with a fixed full choke, giving tight, consistent patterns prized for small-game hunting and skeet. The 3-inch chamber pairs with a five-round tubular magazine, maximizing the Model 42’s versatility with modern .410 loads.
The serial number falls in the 71,000 range, dating manufacture to 1948—squarely in Winchester’s pre-1964 era. Only about 164,800 Model 42s were produced between 1933 and 1963, making any original-configuration example increasingly desirable to collectors.
A blued steel receiver, blued barrel, and matching walnut stock and forend complete the classic Winchester aesthetic. The takedown design allows quick separation of barrel and receiver assemblies for convenient transport and cleaning.
A single brass bead front sight provides a simple, durable sight picture. The 13.75-inch length of pull suits most shooters while maintaining the trim proportions that give the Model 42 its lively handling.