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November 12, 2025
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I bought this gun from a collector that has reached a stage in life that he is beginning to pare down his collection. I’m not really quite sure what to do with it but, it is in 96 to 98% condition. That is my assessment, hardly a professional one. Anyone with any insight?
April 15, 2005
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Very nice looking gun, but it is technically a 0% graded condition gun as it has zero percent of the factory original finish on it. While some custom built and engraved guns can be very nice (as is the case with this gun), the appeal and value is strictly in the eye of the beholder (potential buyer). For the purist collectors, guns like this do not garner the same level of interest as an otherwise factory original gun does.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 31, 2009
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If you like it, keep it and shoot it occasionally.
December 9, 2002
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I’m in full agreement with both Bert and Chuck, and I will add, that it’s a beautiful piece!
Maybe not all original and what some of us Collectors would pursue due to its unoriginal factory finish, and after market work, that to me looks very nice!
There’s a buyer for everything, as that gets proven on this site and others, daily.
Enjoy it, and thanks for sharing!
Anthony
January 20, 2023
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Van, while what my friends have just told you is true — that a non-factory engraved Model 42 is not of high interest to most Winchester collectors — something you did not mention is a significant factor in your gun’s current market value.
The late Ken Hurst was one of Colt’s Master Engravers for many years and his work on any Colt or Smith & Wesson is highly prized. Ken died in 2018.
During Ken’s tenure at Colt’s, if you ordered factory engraving coverage “A” or “B” or any other coverage, it would be rendered by one of the company’s journeyman engravers. The work would be done very competently and to one of several standard patterns of your choice. It was not cheap.
However, if you so desired and could put enough money where your mouth was, you could order an engraving job to your own specifications, with or without inlays, to be executed and signed by the Colt’s Master Engraver of your choice, who would discuss the matter with you, furnish a proposed sample on paper for your approval, execute the job and sign it. The bill from Colt’s would harelip a Midwestern banker. That’s what Ken Hurst did for Colt’s.
That used condition Colt revolver hammered for $14k plus the usual, in 2023.
I suggest you consult with the Colt Collectors Association and see what they think. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
March 31, 2009
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Zeb brings up a good point. The engraving is well done. Can you contact the seller and see if he has some history?
November 12, 2025
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I believe that I am the third owner of the gun. The gentleman I bought the gun from had owned it for many years and beleived that he bought it from the original owner. The story he told was that the original owner was a doctor (physician) that special ordered the gun from Winchester in the 1940’s. He ordered it with the rib and a white receiver with the engraving. Research shows that Winchester did take a few orders for Model 42’s with white receivers and, did use Ken Hurst on a limited basis but, no Cody papers exist for Model 42’s so this is all really not much more than hearsay. It is really just an interesting story to me as I plan to keep the gun regardless, that is unless it truly is of significant value.
January 20, 2023
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Van, May I suggest you consult with Pauline Muerrle on this subject.
Pauline is a member of WACA but also a former engraver employed by Winchester in its Custom Shop. Moreover, she is a published author and Winchester historian who possesses a trove of significant information about arms that passed through the Custom Shop.
Pauline maintains a Website and will furnish whatever information is in her possession for very modest fees. She is well-known to the Membership and frequently relied upon by Members.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
November 12, 2025
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On it! I contacted Pauline via email and paid the fee. Thanks for the insight!
December 25, 2016
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Please update us with what you learn. Since your gun was special order and she has both custom shop and polishing room records chances are higher that Pauline will have some data on your SN.
What a gorgeous gun. I missed my chance at a screamin deal 42, prolly never see another one that cheep….
November 12, 2025
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I will certainly post anything new I find out about it. Rick, if you are still looking for a 42, I have five now which is 3 more than I want!
December 25, 2016
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Naah not currently looking. In fact been reducing the number of the darn things, just keeping “the good stuff” and selling some others off. I’ve been playing with my PCP stuff more lately rather than shotguns. I like the no powder and primers and shooting in my backyard. At the least I’d get a citation popping off a shotgun out back.
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