doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Winchester Mod 42 upgrade

Factory VR 42s commence around SN 125,000 (1954). The donut post pictured was the first variation and is seen till around SN 149,000 (1957), per Schwing. This may give us a clue as to the approx time the aftermarket installation was done by Simmons on what was, I suspect, originally a prewar/transition field. Original bbl/receiver proofs are hidden beneath rib/extension.

Metal has been redone, buffing is obvious. The original rust-blued bbl finish is gone. You might think it was all done by Simmons at time of rib install/bolt jeweling/etc. But why would the offset proofs not be sharp? So I think the metal has been "addressed" a couple of times, post mfg.

Wood is not original to the gun, and not factory IMO. The pad is proud of the wood.

All the above notwithstanding, I think it is a very nice gun. I think donut post ribs are the neatest. I had a similar donut post 42 redone by Simmons with upgraded wood and a Cutts. I am very sorry I let it go.

Modified in 42s is usually very close to factory skeet in actual constriction. They are murder on clays thrown on a skeet field and a VR adds just the right amount of weight up front.

Sam

My high school biology teacher had a brand new 42 vent rib in the box and he had a house fire and it turned into a charred mess.I think he said he paid $150 bucks for it at the time(early '64).I sold the remnants at my first gun show(1971) to someone who thought he could salvage the internals.

Thanks again for all of the feedback so far. Does anyone know if Moneymaker or Simmons kept records? Kutter I have always wanted some Mearns quail engraved on a gun. I really think they are one of the most beautiful and challenging birds to hunt. Possibly this should be the gun.

Collectors have stopped using the presence of proof marks to establish originality of Winchester ribs. Simmons is now offering the original Winchester matting pattern on ribs, so we have to be very savvy of serial number ranges and other features.

Simmons has had those stamps for many years. They were authorized to apply them to guns Winchester had contracted to them for rib installations.

WP stamps show up on GB every now and then. And Simmons appears to be doing donut post ribs again. Even so, I suspect the donut post rib on this one was added long ago. At some point it underwent another metal refinish. Sam

I was able to contact Pauline. Pauline, stated that the wood was not the work of the Winchester custom Shop. So the hunt continues for more knowledge. I was told as I can best recall when I traded for this gun several years ago that the gun had been upgrade in the 60's or 70's. Hoping someone has a 42 that has the same wood checkering and can point me to where it had been upgraded. Thanks for all of the feedback so far.

SOMETIMES the person who does the wood will leave data under the butt pad, have you looked there?
Mike

I have not looked but will do that today.
Thanks Phil

As an aside, for you Model 42 lovers (and that probably includes any sensate shotgunner), Simmons has an interesting refurb deal on Model 12s and Model 42s. For $1,400 they will install a solid rib (for $100 less they will put on a vent rib, if you absolutely must), reblue the entire gun, jewel the bolt and add "medium fancy" skeet wood (long forend) to the factory dimensions.

Now if I could just find a cheap Model 42 beater to send them.....

Bruce