I recently bought a model 42 and would like some info on it and also a value if possible. the serial number is 145498 both the barrel and the bottom of the receiver has matching numbers, it also has a pigeon engraved on the bottom of the barrel. it says skeet on the top of the barrel it is chambered for 3" shells, the magazine loading port and the ejection port both engraved. im curious if this is a real pigeon grade or not. it is in really good shape it has some of the blueing worn through where the forearm slides back and forth but other then that no signs of wear. also it has the letters FO stamped on the left side of the trigger guard. any info would be appreciated

If you just bought it you know the value. Without a lot of good pictures we can't tell you anything. I can tell you Winchester Repeating Arms Co. never catalogued a Model 42 Pigeon Grade. The top grade Model 42 was the Model 42 DeLuxe.

I added some pictures, hopefully that helps some

According to the tables in Ned Schwing's Model 42 book a receiver with a serial number in the 145xxx range would have been put in work during July to September 1957. Here are the Model 42 pages from the 1957 Winchester catalog --



Page 89 of Ned's book discusses Model 42 Pigeon Grades. He states that according to Madis seven Model 42 Pigeon Grades were made up to 1941, all engraved guns. He goes on to say that all the post-war Model 42 Pigeon Grades to come to light were made between 1945 and 1950, but no records of post-war Pigeon Grades had been found. All were said to be engraved and have Deluxe Grade stocks.

There are an awfully lot of fakes out there and in some cases the work is very good

Don't see an obvious giveaway. But not a gun I would judge solely through pics.

Every 42 "Pigeon" examined in the hands was a product of the Winchester history reinvention industry. All were '60s guns, tho.

I’ve never seen an authentic one or even a fake one. Larry Sidner may have had one in-his collection

If you send a good photo of the pigeon to Pauline Murrell, she will tell you immediately if it’s authentic

how do I get in touch with Pauline

She is a contributor here. The Winchester forum

I know I have one pigeon grade that is original and it is the Alaskan and I think I might have two more but I would have to check....Larry [email protected]

That is not a factory pigeon. The jeweling was not done by the factory either.

I just went down and check for how many pigeons I had and it looks like I have three. One is the alaskan, and one is 75,976 DeLuxe pigeon, engraved #5 and also stamped DeLuxe. It’s a beautiful gun.

I understand this is an old thread,but reading different threads trying to gain knowlwdge.. Could someone explain what L Sidener is talking about when he states he has a Pigeon "Alaskan".. Is he talking about a 42,, or ishe talking about a Winchester model 70 rifle "Alaskan" model?

Im lost..

Why don’t you just ask him?

Several high grade, special ordered, Model 42s carry names in collector circles. "THE ALASKAN 42" 77865 is one such gun, shown on pages 102 and 103 of Ned Schwing's book. Others are "THE McLALLEN GUN" 159277, "THE EISENHOWER GUNS" 135382 & 135447, THE ROBERT TAYLOR GUN" 54896 and "THE McGREEVY GUN" 153751.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH Researcher...

I did email L Sidener,,, No response.. Good stuff/ info on this board..

Thanks again..