Make: Miroku in Japan, for Browning

Model: 42 Grade 1, Limited Edition

Serial Number: 03054NZ882

Year of Manufacture: 1991

Gauge: .410 2 1/2 & 3” Shells

Action Type: Pump / Slide Action, Tube Magazine Fed Takedown Shotgun

Barrel Length: 26”

Choke: Full, fixed

Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a steel bead fixed to the front of its ventilated rib. The rib meets at an extension slotted onto the receiver; the top is serrated for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece checkered walnut set with capped pistol grip, straight comb and textured black plastic Browning buttplate. The stocks have no notable wear or damage only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate similarly shows only light handling marks. Overall, the stocks are in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: The shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The gun shows minor operational wear consistent with infrequent assembly/disassembly. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes with a two-piece black cardboard Browning box with serial matching label, styrofoam inserts, plastic sleeves for the two main assemblies including wax paper and manual.

Our Assessment: What a gun! When Browning had these shotguns produced by Miroku, Winchester had discontinued both the Model 12 and 42, making this a first opportunity for some and a last opportunity for many to get their hands on new production guns. Some of this limited production run was given over to standard Grade I guns with the rest being Grade V. The production runs for the 20 and 28 gauge Model 12s were separate while there was some overlap of production of the Model 42. Browning dealers could request matching serial numbers from each production run, but would then either need to hold guns for as much as three years before they could sell the set or have a customer commit, and follow-through, with the same wait. Consequently, there weren’t all that many sets sold together as some didn’t want to wait. Since then, some sets have surely been broken up, making these even harder to find. This Grade 1 Model 42 is a .410 choked Full in Excellent condition with is original box and it is a beauty! It appears to have spent more time in the included box than out. If you’re a collector of Winchester or Browning shotguns, don’t let this one pass you by. Be aware, this gun’s matching 28 Gauge Model 12 is also listed in this auction, so keep an eye out. Please see our photos and good luck!