Hello,

I recently inherited my fathers Model 42. It was his first gun and was given to him by my great grandfather. It’s a field grade with a full choke and it has led a full life of hunting as his companion trekking through hundreds of miles of the Florida outdoors. It has enough sentimental value to me that it is never leaving my possession and I couldn’t care less about the value.

What makes this gun a bit more interesting and the reason that I’m here asking for help is that it is serial number 165. I’ve been searching for more detailed production history on the early guns beyond obviously being made in 1933. I know the factory records are unavailable for the lower serial numbers, but I’m hoping someone might know roughly how many guns Winchester had rolling off the line per day/week/month when production was getting started and when in 1933 production actually began.

Any help, references, leads, ouija board derived answers, or mad ramblings from Winchester employees during the great depression would be appreciated.

Matt