I picked up 2 nice pre model 42s last summer and just had them lettered SN 4457 & SN 4459. Also in pursuit of SN 4458 I gambled and had it lettered too in case it was shipped to same place here in cleveland. I knew it was a long shot but I have spent $50 on a lot more foolish things.
The results surprised me... I bought both guns within 10 days of each other here in NE Ohio so I really expected they would have shipped out on dates close to each other..and to same place. here are results:
- 4457 Shipped Sept 1954 to Evaluators Inc, Quantico VA
- 4458 (I don't own) Shipped July 1954 to Atlanta GA
- 4459 shipped March 1955 to George Worthington Co, Cleveland OH.
What I learned.
1. These centennials were not very popular as the ship dates are months apart on consecutive S/Ns and in 20 years they only sold 30K.
2. Guns are NOT shipped out S/N sequence..4458 shipped 3 months before 4457. (I knew this but this was my first 1st hand experience)
3. 4457 that shipped to Evaluators Inc, Quantico Va... was this an FBI gun? (That is a question not an observation)
4. My chances of finding 4458 are slim to none
Here are the 2nd page of the 3 letters..Thanks Roy Jinks.
Pre 42 SN 4457
Pre 42 SN 4458
Pre 42 SN 4459
