Picked this one up today from a fellow local collector. Early 50's Centennial in its original numbered red box with accessories, paper and Helpful Hints brochure. I'll say it's ANIB as it's about as close as I can get after 60+ years. It does have a turn line. S#3573, 4 screw, flat latch, matching numbered barrel, smooth stocks, and cylinder. It still has the pin (safety bar is pinned down). Just a neat little revolver made when they really knew how to make them.

Earl

Yessiree! Very, very nice!

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FBINA, 204th Session

I like the gun as well as any of my J frames.

Attached Images

Model 40.jpg (116.8 KB, 64 views)

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Bob P.

It probably shipped around Oct 1953 but you'd need to get a letter on it to know more exactly. The earlier ones were often called the "Hammerless Chiefs Special." A good find in that condition.

Hard to beat.

I'll be sending off for the letter this week. I don't letter all my revolvers but definitely the old ones and at least one of each model. This is my first Centennial, pre-40, or even 40 for that matter.

Earl

That's a dandy.

Mine's about 2,500 numbers newer than yours, came in a blue starburst box and shipped in January '55.

Neat little revolvers and great marques of S&W history. Congrats.

Attached Images

4-screw Centennial.jpg (80.1 KB, 40 views)

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Looks like they have their own type of magna stocks and don't use the same as the other J frames. Eh?

Here's my Centennial from the first year of manufacture, 1952. Serial number in the 1400 range. It still has the grip safety lock out pin.

Poster ABPOS is correct. The Centennial, Model 40 and Model 42 shared their own unique grip design, and no other J frame grips will properly fit on these models.

You have a great little revolver, terrific acquisition.

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	DSCN0520.jpg (88.5 KB, 51 views)
	DSCN0521.jpg (91.2 KB, 39 views)

Would you do a picture of the grip with the lock pin stowed please?

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Bob P.

Handsome piece you have there Earl. Love the wood on that one,........and everything else! Congratulations!

I keep the grip lock out pin in a very small plastic bag, then put the bag in the grip cavity and everything is nicely hidden by the grips.

The pin really belongs in the tiny hole which is visible in the upper right part of the frame, between the mainspring and the grip safety. If kept there is has a tendency to fall out when the grips are removed.

My method of pin storage eliminates that possibility. I had to learn the hard way about that pin pulling its disappearing act. Probably not the only way to safely store the pin, but it works for me.

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DSCN0524.jpg (68.6 KB, 62 views)

Wow, what a great revolver!

Congrats!

Hi. Hopefully one of the other owners can. I don’t want to take mine out and risk losing it or messing it up. Earl

Somethun' about a wheel gun, and that is a beaut! Congrats. I own nothing collectible but would absolutely buy one of those if one presented itself. So nice.

See post number 71 on this thread:

The Definitive Model 40/42 Thread

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Another way to secure the grip lock pin to prevent its loss:

Apply a small amount of good quality grease to the pin before stowing it away in the storage hole.

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Mitch
SWCA 2438

That is a great find. I don't drool very often, but I am drooling now. You did great!

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Ken

What a beauty. I love all the Centennial series, but that granddaddy is one I crave.

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Oh well, what the hell.