Hi folks, I have a line on a Model 41 with a 7 3/8 inch barrel which is in very nice shape. I am trying to figure out it's age and based on the fact it has a indicator on the end of the slide I am thinking it is from the 60's. The serial number is 13xxx. I know from talking to customer service at Smith they started using an "A" prefix in the serial numbers starting in 1970. The model started in 1954 with SN001 and the ending SN before alpha characters were introduced was 115000. I was wondering if anyone had an idea of how many 41's were produced each year. If I knew that I could estimate the year of mfg for the gun I hope to buy. Any insight would be appreciated.

You may want to refer to this excellent thread on the history of the Model 41. I would think your serial# dates to about 1958, but I defer to a more knowledgeable forum member.

All about the Model 41 target pistol...

That starting date should bring down around 1958-59 for sure if there are No. alphebetical letters with it. Those I think were some of the best years of production as I also own a 1958 year model myself. I will be shooting mine in the next hour or so. If you buy it pics are a must on here PLEASE. Salmon68 Welcome to the Forum as well from Canada.

Yes, please!

Hey folks thanks for the replies. I appreciate the feedback. The link regarding the history of the Model 41 was most helpful. I am thinking the gun is still from the 60's based on the fact one member said he still owns one which he bought in 1959 with the SN 9981 which squares with the article saying Smith had mfg only 9875 units at the end of 1958. The whole SN for my gun is 13793. I intend to send Smith a request for information so eventually I will know the year of mfg but in the meantime I am going to love shooting it.

I have attached a couple of pics per your request. Quality is not great but the best I can do with my little snap shot camera.

One last thing, do the new magazines offered by Smith fit these older model 41's? I would like to pick up two and if the new ones fit I can save a few dollars vs scrounging around and finding old mags which it seems are pretty pricey based on what I have seen thru the internet.

Thank you.

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Looks nice,
I have a few of the newer plastic follower magazines and they all work for me.

13xxx would be 1958 or 1959.
There are a few mag types made for the model 41all working in the 41.

The New or older mags will all work in your gun as they are the same ones in the M46, plus the 422 and 622 models as well.

Hi All,
I am a new forum member and I just purchased an older pre A serial number model 41. It is SN 71xxx. Can anyone tell me what year it would be? Thanks for the help!

Your Model 41 dates to late 1964ish-early '65ish. I say (ish) because S&W didn't ship in serial# order. The only way to pin it down to exact date is to order a historical letter from the S&W Historical Foundation which costs $75.00

Nice model 41, I have a similar one and it is a joy to shoot.

#9480 -any idea on age and value?

I would think around 1958 as well. Its one of the earlier ones if it only has those serial no's on it for sure. I also have a 1958 year M41 myself and love the gun dearly. To me the early ones had the nicest blueing on them and seem to live forever as a shooter also. To me a 1st year model has a premium on it and is worth at least $1300.00 to at least $1600.00 any day of the week. Your market may vary where you live of course.