The problem with collecting 42's and also model 12's is the upgrade factor. I bet 80% of the model 42 and almost as many model 12's left the factory with plain barrels. Now I bet 80% of them have ribs. They just grew on the barrels as time went by you think? No. Owners sent them to Simmons to have ribs added as ribs became the norm, an upgrade. Dealers added them to sell plain guns for more money an upgrade to make money. And a few were added by sellers hoping to cash in on the rare original factory ribs prices, fraud in my book. Ribs were not that popular until the late 60's. Like ejectors were a pricey feature on doubles 50 before, vent ribs were a sign of a real nice gun for someone how had money.
Simmons did mark a few factory guns from Winchester. I have two that are long time family guns that I know came with ribs when new and both are pre 1964 that are marked Simmons. I have another that was added later and it is also marked by Simmons. If you did not know that it had been done later only the placement of the stampings would tip you off. And how hard is it to remove one stamp and put a new one on at different place when you have to refinish the barrel anyways? Real easy and it pays to do it.
