Model 40 deluxe skeet variant|Winchester Shotguns|Forum|Winchester Collector

Hello Bill,

Bert forwarded me your inquiry about your Model 40 Skeet Gun.  

First of all, several bits of information would be of great interest to me for my census (I’ve been tracking Model 40’s since 1995. And currently have data on some 150 examples – I would very much like to add yours to the archive):

a)Serial number. 

b)Cutts expansion chamber:  Steel (blued), Alum. Alloy Bright, or Alum. Alloy Blacked?

c)Cutts Pattern Control Tubes:  Ditto…. (tubes that accompanied the gun when purchased new should be of the same material/finish as the expansion chamber, and also be of the hex-head variety with six wrench flats – not the later round-head variety with only two wrench flats). 

You asked about valuation and disposition….

The Model 40 is perhaps the second-least appreciated Winchester firearm (that designation arguably goes to the Model 40’s predecessor, the Model 1911/11). 

Given the fact that only approximately 12,000 were manufactured in 1940, and that many were returned to the factory in what could possibly be described as the first firearms industry “recall”, they don’t turn up all that often. But scarcity is only one factor.  Demand must also be addressed:  Taking into account zero hunting/target interest, and near zero collector interest, understandably the Model 40 market is extremely “soft”….

Recent Model 40 Skeet Gun sales noted: •SN7, two-barrel set, Ulrich factory engraving, Rock Island Auction $5,500.

• SN1966, Bismarck ND gun show, $700 
• SN304, Sioux Falls SD gun show, $800
• SN51, private sale $1,200. 
• SN1194, aftermarket engraving & wood upgrade, with provenance establishing General Curtis LeMay ownership, ProxiBid auction $4,000. 

As indicated, these are retail gun show/auction prices.  Because of the difficulty in marketing this model and assuming you wish to sell, I’m guessing that if you were to walk into a gun shop or gun show with your gun, you would probably be offered less than half of these retail sales figures. Perhaps you have access to placing this example on a friend’s gun show table. 

Depending on where you live and local gun laws in effect, perhaps a private sale through a newspaper or marketplace ad might also be a sales venue. 

Looking forward to learning more about your example. 

Sincerely’

Greg Dockter

[email protected]

Greg-

I suspect Bill was one of our drive by posters. I found your post interesting and informative, FWIW. 

Mike