Winchester 42 Skeet Grade and Winchester Model 50 Trap Grade

[M12Gunboy]

The wood on the 50 is very nice.

Yeah that model 50 has what is called XX wood. Winchester would only put wood graded from X to XXXXX on the "graded" guns for model 12's, 21's, 42's and 50's. It's the nicest wood I own on a shotgun.

I have two Model 50 experts fighting over whether it's a Trap Grade or Skeet Grade model 50. It's looking like it's a Skeet grade gun IMHO. I am on the look out for a WS-1 (skeet choked) 26" Round Post Winchester Factory Vent Rib Barrel for that model 50. It could take years to find one.... and they aren't cheap when you do.

[M12Gunboy]

M12Gunboy, Those are some beautiful old gals! You should take one more picture of them side by side, full length and show how sleek the 42 is. The model 50 sure has some pretty grain in the forend. I've not quite made it to a 42 yet, best I could do so far is a model 41. Treefarmer

Thanks Treefarmer. I've been promising some Winchester pics so figured I'd get a few posted up here... I also have 6 - solid ribbed model 12 shotguns, all with different barrel lengths and chokes, 1 - skeet grade WS-1 marked 1957, 2 - 3" heavy duck guns 30" Full 1956 and 32" Full 1949 , a standard grade 26" Cylinder (Brush gun) 1935 Pre-war (WWII), a standard grade 30" Full 2 3/4" 1938 Pre-war (WWII) and a standard grade 28" Modifed 2 3/4" 1948. I have sold probably 15-20 plain barreled, after market ribbed, poly choked, after market stocked and altered model 12's in the last few years as these guns listed above have presented themselves at a "fair" price.

The 42 was and is probably the best deal I have ever made in a trade, traded a couple of quality handguns and an old Winchester 100 in .308 for it. I had around $1500 in the three guns I traded valued at around $2200. I knew the 42 was worth over $3500 so I made the deal. I had the 42 appraised by the third largest model 42 collector in the nation (he owns 172 model 42's, talk about a collection), very nice guy from Missouri and it appraised for $4500-5500 in this depressed collector market.

I lucked out on that one! One of these days I'll post up my model 12 solid ribbed collection.

[M12Gunboy]

Forgot to mention. All my solid ribbed model 12's are 12 Gauge guns. I am on the look out for 20 Gauge solid ribbed model 12's now and they aren't quite as easy to find and the price increase to buy them when you find them is sometime just not realistic IMHO. I had two 20 gauge solid ribbed guns but they were both on there last legs and would have required major restorations, so I sold them, made a little bit of $$$$ on them and saved myself a ton of $$$$$ by not having them restored. No appreciation over the next 20 years would have been seen had I moved forward with them.

[wingshooter]

nice to share a bit of your collection. sure is nice to see some vintage arms in such great condition. glad to see something other than black guns posted.

[houseofmicah]

I shoot a winchester model 96. Not so pretty anymore as it gets hunted quite a bit. I do like the way it fits and it shoots well. My first o/u shotgun. I did ok on it, I have $200 in it. Mabe someday I will find a good deal on another o/u hopefully in .410. They are expensive to shoot, but they are fun.

[houseofmicah]

Shot a personal best today. Broke 88/100. Maybe I can break 90 in the next couple tries.