Just picked up recent online auction win Model 40 Nickel Centennial. Have been doing my best to stay in the back-off buying mode but temptation overcame me with this Lil Darlin. Got it with intentions to put on some Medallion Sambar Stag grips that I've been looking for a special J frame to wear. I was surprised to find out the Centennial's grips aren't same as other J's.
I've included pictures of grip frame and safety disengage pin in case anyone wants to see the lemon squeezer type safety mechanics.
Anyway, I am very pleased with purchase. Thanks for allowing me to share my new addition.
Ray

Attached Images

	S&W M40 Pic 1.jpg (78.1 KB, 235 views)
	S&W M40 Pic 2.jpg (69.3 KB, 89 views)
	S&W M40 Pic 3.jpg (69.5 KB, 79 views)
	S&W M40 - Pic 4.jpg (80.3 KB, 96 views)
	S&W M40 Pic 5.jpg (57.3 KB, 84 views)

Congratulations on your 40. I have a blued one, complete with pin, that is a pre40 that belonged to a friend of mine who passed. Shipped in 1953.

Be careful! Centennials can be addicting!

Your new Centennial must be a later gun as it does not have the high horn grips. As you have noticed, these guns do not have many choices for grips!
On the newer guns they eliminated the squeeze safety so the rubbers can be used!
jcelect

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Mercy...Didn't realize they have so many siblings. Oh Boy!....I'm in wonderful trouble again. Thanks for sharing your family.
And yes...Mine is a later L prefix. Early 70's?

Ray:

Beautiful gun and great photos. I can see how that one brought you back into the market.

Thanks for sharing,

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

As you probably know, it is usually not hard to alter the inside of the grip panels to make them fit a 40 or 42. The radius of the cutout in a 40 frame is less than on other J frames, so often all you need to do is to remove some material on the inside of the grip. Only if the grips have medallions and metal backers does it start to become complicated. I have done two or three, one solid plastic Secret Service (?) grips sold by Brownells, the other the right hand side (that's all there was then) of a Barami Hip-Grip. I had to fill part of the hollow back of the Barami with epoxy before I started. Both were done by hand with a file, and worked fine.

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Formerly Model520Fan

Ray, just bought a 40 no dash nickel shipped in 1972. Love it. It has the safety pin.
Fred

That is one beautiful model 40. There is just something special about some nickel plated S&W revolvers.

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Ken