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Old 03-30-2018, 09:37 PM
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Default Earlist Model 41 in public hands
I was wondering what the earliest model 41 that is in the hands of the public?
In other words, a model 41 that some one has outside of a museum and in their actual collection or stashed away in their safe.
From what I have read the production started at 3001 in 1957 (I'm no expert by any means)
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Old 03-30-2018, 09:56 PM
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I don't know if it is the earliest; probably not, but here is 3310: S&W Model 41 Project
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Old 03-30-2018, 10:10 PM
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#3160 is the earliest I have notes on. Shipped October 1957. Some sources give #1401 as earliest number. Also read #3001
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Old 03-31-2018, 07:02 PM
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I know mine is a 1st year model by the serial No.s on it. 12304 which is really easy to remember Its a 7and 3/8'' inch barrelled model. Still shoots the same as a new one.
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Old 03-31-2018, 10:24 PM
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My earliest Model 41 is s/n: 12246, shipped June 1958 per Roy. It's one of my favorite shooters.
I still have its 7-3/8" barrel, but prefer it with the gold bead EFS barrel it currently wears. Wonderful gun.

Grouse Getter...
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Old 04-02-2018, 11:12 PM
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Mitch D it seems our two guns are only 58 guns apart in the production process. Strange how yours went to Montana and mine came to Canada. Yes they are a wonderful gun indeed.
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Old 04-03-2018, 10:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S&W ucla View Post
#3160 is the earliest I have notes on. Shipped October 1957. Some sources give #1401 as earliest number. Also read #3001
That starting SN of 1401 is a know but incorrect number. Serial numbers for the model 41 were shared with the model 39 which started production a few years earlier. S&W was well past 1401 when the model 41 came about. I have picture of a letter from Roy Jinks stating that the first 41 (built on Sep 17, 1957) was SN 3193. S&W reserved the serial number block of 3001 to 5000 for the initial production of the model 41. It is also important to note that the 41's were NOT assembled or shipped in serial number order.

Jim
Last edited by laytonj1; 04-03-2018 at 10:58 PM. Reason: spelling
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Old 04-03-2018, 10:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Barrie View Post
I know mine is a 1st year model by the serial No.s on it. 12304 which is really easy to remember Its a 7and 3/8'' inch barrelled model. Still shoots the same as a new one.
1st year would be 1957. Yours would be a second year (1958), unless you figure 1st year differently than me?
I have 14396 which is 1959 if I understand Tom's shipping/production data correctly.

Jim
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Old 04-03-2018, 10:55 PM
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Default Early 41
I have s/n 46xx and the Roy Jinks letter states that my pistol shipped in March, 1958 to Marshall Field’s flagship store in Chicago no less. The information in the general form letter states the s/n began with 1401,
that 679 were produced in 1957 (starting Sep.13,1957), and that 9875 were produced by the end of 1958. The first gun produced was s/n 1401, but maybe regular production was numbered in a different sequence.
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Old 04-03-2018, 11:00 PM
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The first gun produced was s/n 1401, but maybe regular production was numbered in a different sequence.
Willyboy
See the post 2 above yours.

Jim
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Old 04-03-2018, 11:10 PM
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Default Early 41
Yes, I just tried to edit my original post but it didn’t take. The initial s/n range of 3001 would seem to make sense with my serial number (46xx) and ship date (March 1958). The 1401 number for the first pistol made is mentioned in the factory letter. Willyboy
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Old 04-03-2018, 11:26 PM
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Default Early 41
By the way, I have an original magazine ad dated Dec. 1957 that says
“ Order through your dealer now!...$110 “. Willyboy
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Old 04-04-2018, 12:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch_D View Post
My earliest Model 41 is s/n: 12246, shipped June 1958 per Roy. It's one of my favorite shooters.
I still have its 7-3/8" barrel, but prefer it with the gold bead EFS barrel it currently wears. Wonderful gun.

Grouse Getter...
Hi Mitch D

I just checked my model 41's and guess what, I have serial number 12247

Small world hey?

Graydog
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Old 04-04-2018, 10:24 PM
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Default Earlist Model 41 in public hands
I recently bought a S&W 41 with serial number 3347. So close...Earlist Model 41 in public hands
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