Winchester Model 42

The Model 1912 (shortened to Model 12 in 1919) was the next step from the Winchester Model 1897 hammer-fired shotgun, which in turn had evolved from the earlier Winchester Model 1893 shotgun. The Model 12 was designed by Winchester engineer T.C. Johnson, and was based in part on the M1893/97 design by John M. Browning.  Designed by William Roemer and introduced in 1933, the Model 42 Slide Action Shotgun was chambered exclusively for .410 gauge in 3″ and 2-1/2″ shells. The Model 42 was produced from 1933 thru 1963, with a production of about 160,000. Referred to as “Everybody’s Sweetheart”, variations include: Standard Grade, Deluxe Grade, Trap Grade, Skeet Grade and Pigeon Grade. Various chokes, barrel lengths, plain barrels, solid ribs, ventilated ribs, engraving patterns, and checkering patterns were offered.