May 12-14, 2026 Firearms & Militaria
Lot #3361:
(C) WINCHESTER MODEL 42 FACTORY TEST SLIDE ACTION SHOTGUN FROM THE WINCHESTER COLLECTION.
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/14/2026
Manufactured circa 1955. Blued Winchester proof steel barrel with single bead sight. Takedown action with a small "DO" marked on the trigger guard. 14-groove flat bottom walnut slide handle and smooth stock with checkered black plastic Winchester butt plate. This gun was used by Winchester as a factory test gun and includes its original green "QUALITY / CONTROL / TEST GUN" hang tag. A "N / 1 / 3" rack number is also painted on the toeline. An included 2018 notarized certificate of provenance of FN letterhead indicates that this gun listed by serial number was originally part of the Winchester factory collection in New Haven, Connecticut. The collection was absorbed by the U.S. Repeating Arms Co. in 1980 and later by the FN group when they acquired the company in 1989. A portion of the historic collection including this shotgun was offered for sale in 2018. CONDITION: Very good. Nearly all of the factory blue is retained with some high edge silvering, evidence of cycling, and scattered marks. Right side of the barrel has a 7" long area of dark paint added on top of the finish. Forend has some dings and nicks. The sides of the butt appear cleaned with some light impressions remaining. A large chip also present at the toe. Bright bore. Fine mechanics. A rare opportunity to acquire a Winchester from the factory collection.
Paperwork
Provenance, Factory Test Tag