Mfg'd Date model 41 ?

[retired2006]

Hello, I am interested in the mfd date of a recently acquired mod 41 ser # 162XX. It has a 5.5" bull barrel.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Model52guy]

If there is no “A” prefix to the serial number it would be an early one from 1959 although the 5-1/5” heavy barrel did not come out till 1963. If it has an “A” prefix to the serial number then the barrel would be correct for a 1972. .

[retired2006]

No "A" prefix, so it probably has a 5" field or a 7 3/8" target barrel ?

[4T5GUY]

Here’s this for what it’s worth.

Maybe someone with a close serial number could get it better or perhaps a call to S&W CS would pin it down.

I’m sure a few of the 41 experts/members here will be able to help you when they see this post. There’s several.
Jim

[smithfan4152]

The problem is S&W didn't really go by the MFG date, they went by the ship date. So I can tell you I had a model 41 with the serial # 22221, and another model 41 in the 27000 series, and the earlier number was shipped a few months later than the 27000 number, still they were both in 1960, and were most likely MFG, earlier yet. Factory letter $100.00 will give you the exact ship date and where it was shipped to, and which barrel was on it. Hope this helps.

[Bastogne71]

Originally Posted by smithfan4152

The problem is S&W didn't really go by the MFG date, they went by the ship date. So I can tell you I had a model 41 with the serial # 22221, and another model 41 in the 27000 series, and the earlier number was shipped a few months later than the 27000 number, still they were both in 1960, and were most likely MFG, earlier yet. Factory letter $100.00 will give you the exact ship date and where it was shipped to, and which barrel was on it. Hope this helps.

Here are some more examples of crazy ship dates:

#15975 shipped in Feb 1959
#16361 shipped in June 1960
#16618 shipped in Oct 1958

Since the 5 1/5” heavy barrel didn’t start shipping until August 1963, around #43500, your M41 should have had, most likely, a 7 3/8” barrel but could have had the 5” field barrel that started shipping in Sep 1959. Only the letter will say for sure.

We would love to see some pictures!