I purchased this piece when I was in my very early 20's. It was sold as "practically new" by a local hardware store that's long gone, and is still pretty much pristine Can someone suggest a date of manufacture? What are these things worth now?

I can't give you an exact date, but I have a 5 digit model 41 starts with a 2, it was made in 1959.

I probably bought it in ''60 or '61 (don't even ask what I paid for it (probably less than $250). Still a beautiful piece...and deadly accurate.

1959 Value depends on what you have with it, area of country, and actual condition. As it is shown (pistol only) and 98% range - $750 - $900 range. Box, etc - add $110 - $150 (SE USA)
Dealer will run about 75% of above.

quote:

Originally posted by Burlroad:
I probably bought it in ''60 or '61 (don't even ask what I paid for it (probably less than $250). Still a beautiful piece...and deadly accurate.

ditto that, my vintage 41 will put 5 wolf match .22's into a 1" hole at 50yds. every time!

My recollection is that around that period a shooter from the USAMTU won an Olympic gold for the 50m slowfire event using a Model 41.

One of my 41's was lettered as 10/25/60 and had a sales slip dated 11/2?/60 showing a purchase price of $85...

quote:

Originally posted by Burlroad:
I probably bought it in ''60 or '61 (don't even ask what I paid for it (probably less than $250). Still a beautiful piece...and deadly accurate.

I bought #01870 in January 1960 for $90- retail at that time was $100. After about 100,000 rounds, I'm still shooting it, although I think it's on its third barrel.