Winchester Model 42 Standard Grade .410 Bore Pump, 28" Modified, 3" Chamber – Early First-Year Production with Aftermarket Vent Rib
Serial number 4723 places this Winchester Model 42 in the coveted first-year production run, giving it special appeal to collectors who prize early examples of Winchester’s famous .410 pump. The shotgun retains its original 28-inch barrel, now fitted with an aftermarket ventilated rib that complements the factory-cut modified choke and 3" chamber. Despite stock damage that will require repair, the metal finish and mirror-bright bore speak to the gun’s pre-war craftsmanship and its status as the company’s pioneering 3" .410 magnum design.
Condition
Overall Condition: Poor
Bore Condition: Excellent – clean, mirror finish, no visible wear.
Specific Condition Notes: The buttstock has a large break toward the front that will need structural repair before the shotgun can be safely used. The 18-groove walnut fore-end shows a sizable chip but remains attached.
What’s Included
- Winchester Model 42 Standard Grade .410 Bore pump-action shotgun
Introduced in 1933, the Model 42 was Winchester’s first shotgun chambered specifically for the 3" .410 shell. This example, manufactured in 1934 within the inaugural serial block, retains the forged pre-war receiver and early 18-groove corncob fore-end that collectors look for.
The 28" carbon-steel barrel wears a blued finish and is roll-marked "WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL." Its factory modified choke offers a versatile pattern for small game and clay targets. An aftermarket ventilated sighting rib has been professionally installed, giving the gun a vent-rib sight picture while preserving the original front bead.
Walnut furniture features a pistol-grip stock and the classic corncob fore-end. Although the wood will need restoration, the underlying walnut shows tight grain and period-correct contours that match the receiver lines.
The hammerless, pump-action design feeds from a 5-round tubular magazine for a 5+1 total capacity. Internal mechanics cycle smoothly, reflecting Winchester’s polished internal fit that helped earn the Model 42 its reputation for reliability.
Total production of the Model 42 was only about 164,800 units over three decades; first-year guns like this one are considerably scarcer, especially those still wearing their original 28" modified barrels and stamped early markings.