Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980
o

Notices

S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-12-2009, 01:58 AM
Sonny Crocket Sonny Crocket is offline
US Veteran
NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial  
Join Date: May 2002
Location: KY
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
Liked 33 Times in 17 Posts
Default NIB M42 Centennial

Today I picked up a mint, new in original matching box with papers, unfired M42 (L86xx). The finish is just amazing. Everythings still "stiff" from being new. The box has some storage wear but overall is good.
Now the decision I need help with.....to fire it or not? I usually say yes to questions like these, but now that I actually have one this nice I can see how some people have doubts. Everyone thats seen it so far has said not to fire it and throw it in the back of the safe.

One other question. The metal piece to lock the grip safety down is missing, common I know, but I was kinda suprised given the condition of the gun. I read on here a long time ago about how to make a new one. Does anyone have any suggestions on what material is recommended?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-12-2009, 04:46 AM
bubbajoe45's Avatar
bubbajoe45 bubbajoe45 is offline
Member
NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial  
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: East TN
Posts: 940
Likes: 173
Liked 343 Times in 85 Posts
Default

Need pics, so we can see it (for selfish reasons perhaps).
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-12-2009, 09:31 AM
M29since14 M29since14 is offline
SWCA Member
NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 11,896
Likes: 10,014
Liked 10,027 Times in 4,747 Posts
Smile

You can make a new pin pretty easily if you stop in your local welding shop and ask the man for a nip of his stainless filer rod he uses when he TIG welds. He will probably have something that fits. Nip it off close to the right length but just a little long, take it home and put it in the chuck of your 1/4" electric drill (don't tighten enough to leave marks) and dome the ends of it to suit using a fine file.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-12-2009, 07:16 PM
HEADKNOCKER's Avatar
HEADKNOCKER HEADKNOCKER is offline
Member
NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Grab Your Ankles
Posts: 2,973
Likes: 852
Liked 628 Times in 343 Posts
Default

I wanna know were you picked that up on a Thursday Sonny?
Sounds like you've come across a gem..
I can't tell you if I'd shoot it or not, But all my guns are shooters so far anyway..
I can see were you might think shooting it will lessen it's value but think of it like If You never shoot it & it passes on to someone else they will, & why give them the pleasure of being first behind the wheel..
BTW If you have a micro drill bit set find the size that fits & cut you down a pin, i was lucky with my old Pre40 that it already had that pin but I just kept it on the storage space under the grips, have you looked in the hole under the grips? I was supprised to see the pin in mine rusted in place, also is the finish under the grips intact?? I've seen others were it was totaly gone beneath the grips..
Man I sure wish I hadn't sold the old Pre40..
Congrats Sonny!!
Did you buy that at the Gunshow over the weekend??
__________________
MightShowYouHisSmith&Wesson
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-12-2009, 08:37 PM
Sonny Crocket Sonny Crocket is offline
US Veteran
NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial  
Join Date: May 2002
Location: KY
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
Liked 33 Times in 17 Posts
Default

Nah, I found it at a pawn shop in Grayson, KY. Right place right time.
Thanks for the advice on the micro drill bit, I'll give it a try.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-13-2009, 08:28 AM
Malysh's Avatar
Malysh Malysh is offline
Member
NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial NIB M42 Centennial  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Central PA.
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 951
Liked 736 Times in 228 Posts
Default

Congratulations!
My favorites are the Centennial Airweights and the Mod 42s. My earliest is #3651 which shipped out in 1954.
Not being a fastidious collector I don't give a hoot about the boxes and acces. but I don't turn them down if they are available.

My thoughts are if you are hestitating enough to post your thoughts here about shooting it, although you generally shoot the guns you buy, consider this one an investment and get one in lesser condition to carry and shoot. I've done this a lot with my Walther PPKs and J frames and although it has caused me to spend more money, eventually I will make a nice profit on selling the ones that are too nice to mess with. And I still have lesser examples of my favorites to use for what they were designed for.
I don't shoot or carry that old Cent. Airweight I mentioned, I carry a nice late 60s Bodyguard Airweight or a Mod 640 instead of my 1962 Mod 40.. Since I have an 85% cosmetic condition 9mmK PPK, I don't carry the mint one with box, et al, or the dural and the steel frame 7.65s., etc. etc.

The best thing about this is that you've got what I call a GOOD problem, not a BAD problem.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
640, bodyguard, centennial, lock, model 42, ppks, walther

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
WTS: S&W Mod 42 Centennial mjblazer GUNS - For Sale or Trade 3 03-01-2014 12:09 AM
Centennial OldDominion S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 12 01-18-2014 09:30 AM
S&W Centennial haroldchrismeyer S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 9 10-29-2013 09:41 PM
Pre Mod 40 Centennial augeringin S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 13 12-17-2012 08:33 PM
Pre 40 centennial help mbliss57 S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 6 11-02-2012 10:36 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:43 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)