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December 19, 2006
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A good friend has a Winchester model 42 with 2 ½ inch chambers choked SKEET with serial number 97451 which would put it in the early 1950’s I believe.
It has a Simmons Vent Rib which I’m thinking is not original to the gun. I’m thinking the VR was added some time after the gun was made and barrels reblued during that process.
He has owned the gun for about 40 years and claims it to be all original. I’m not sure that is accurate. The gun otherwise looks good. He’s thinking about selling it and wants $3000.00. Is that realistic?
Pictures below. The first picture showing the discolored left side of the receiver are hand prints. The receiver bluing is fine.
Thanks for any comments.
June 5, 2015
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I am not at home right now so can’t check reference book, but I know that Winchester sent guns out for Simmons Vent Rib installations . I just can’t tell you time period so may be original.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
December 19, 2006
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Vince,
Thanks for your Reply.
If Simmons did the rib, I guess they would have reblued the barrel at the same time. Doesn’t look like a very “professional” reblue!
Jolly
November 2, 2012
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Measure the chamber length before you buy. I’ve seen three of these where the chambers have been bored to 3″ to shoot the longer shells. Two of them had not been re-stamped for the change in chamber length.
Chris
December 19, 2006
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Chris,
Thank you for your Reply and advice about measuring chamber length prior to serious dickering.
Jolly
Bill, the rib is retrofit. The reasons are the date of manufacture is earlier than 1954, the first Winchester vent ribs catalogued, no proof marks on the choke side of the barrel, matting on the rib not the style used by Winchester or later Simmons ribs. The gun is not a collector, but it is a nice shooter, but at a bit lesser price.
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