My New Pre-Model 40 Centennial arrived today! This gun was the topic of my previous post entitled ‘Collector Conundrum’. Its serial number, 2638, directly precedes the one on my current Pre-Model 40. It’s also in a little better condition, and came with its original box and a T1 grip adapter. As with my current gun, the new one also has the safety pin secured in the frame under the stocks. I am glad I listened to the ‘buy it’ crowd on this one!

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Good for you.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I was with the "buy something else" groupp. Now, I'm glad you didn't listen and bought the other pre-40. Congratulations.

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Randy
Provenance nerd

Very cool!

Thanks for sharing the photos.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I've always wanted one to add to the collection but never found a package that tripped my trigger as they say.

Acquiring consecutive serial numbered guns is very cool especially if done years apart. Do you know where they shipped? Did they go together?

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James Redfield
LM #497

Love them both. Looks like you picked up a beauty. And I too think you made a great decision, especially with the condition of that "new" one.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Glad you made the purchase.
Thanks for sharing.. nice Pair!

Outstanding!

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NRA Benefactor Member

I plan to find out. Will be mailing out a request for a letter very soon.

I actually have a three digit model.

Looking forward to hearing what your letter(s) reveal.

Are you requesting letters for both Centennials?

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Always wanted one as a carry gun, I like the ‘used’ ones. I don’t have the discipline not to use it.
Enjoy ��

I would say you literally won the lottery. Who would have thought that you would come across a consecutive serial number in such great shape after all this time...? Well done!!!

I bought a model 40 because I had a collection of S&W Heritage Case-Colored guns with matching serial#s. Although this one has a different Serial#, the finish is beautiful....

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Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA

Good decision.... I know you were torn, but it sure worked out well.
Congratulations!

As far as the letter request goes, I was going to request one on my first Centennial, as the seller of it claimed it was from November of 1953. That’s my birth month and year. So I’m curious to find out if that’s true. I was going to write down that I also have the previous serial numbered gun in my possession, and ask if it was perhaps included in the same shipment. Will they do such a thing?

Terry,

Your photography and model displays are always top shelf!

Thanks.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

My 3220 shipped in December of 1953. So that's possible. Of course they did not necessarily ship in strict serial number order. Only the letter will tell.



Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

You might want to consider joining the S&WCA before sending off for your letters. There is a discount for members and if you are requesting 2 letters, the cost saving may just about pay for your first year of membership.

Once you join, you also have access to Roy Jinks and the shipping date request forum that is part of the S&WCA portion of this site. Once you are a member you can ask Roy to check one serial number per week. He only responds to 5 requests per day so sometimes you must be patient.

Many times when responding he will hint that you have a very interesting gun which is his code for "better get a letter"!

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James Redfield
LM #497

I read about that service somewhere here on the Forum. Sounds like a good idea. I actually downloaded the SWCA application the other day. So I just may do that. I also must say that I’m honored that my post was selected for this week’s newsletter’s “Thread of the Week”. Made my day!

Cool guns! First time I had heard of the Centennial. If they were mine, I would look for a double holster (left & right) to fit them. I don't know if they are available, and a vintage one would be a rarity, no doubt!

Mine is just a bit earlier. I have never lettered this one either. Perhaps I will one day. The red box mine came in is labeled as a Chief's Special. I wonder when that change came about.

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Yes, at first they were known as the "Chiefs Special Hammerless" IIRC some of the early boxes were marked Chiefs Special, and the "Hammerless" was stamped on with a rubber stamp. Since they debuted in 1952, the cenntenniel year of Smith and Wesson, they were subsequently named the Centenniel.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I had a conversation with a BIG time dealer and Winchester collecter in Tulsa many years ago, and I asked him if he had ever found consecutive serial guns. He said he'd been collecting for 50 years and found a pair at different times, "ONCE". Cool beans on your find! I would be estatic.
Irv

We EXPECT to see that pair at the next Northeast Bunch meeting in North Olmstead, hopefully in May! If not then, at the next one we are able to have!
Some of us like the Centennials!
jcelect

That would be a little drive for me, I’m down here by Youngstown. But I’ve driven to the IX center before, so I could probably do it. I see you’re just west of there.

Way cool,sweet , interesting and just plain old great .congrats , thanks for sharing . kenny MT USA

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Too good