The Definitive Model 40/42 Thread

[los]

Centennial Pre-40 serial number 8014 shipped 5/1956. Incidentally, the grips do not match to the number of the gun which is interesting to me as only Centennial grips fit a Centennial.

Thanks, Curtis.

Your stocks are obviously Centennial specific. It appears that the original (number matched) stocks were lost or ruined and the previous owner replaced them.?

 

[los]

She arrived this morning.

My first carry revolver. A Model 40-1 in Nickle.

 

[29aholic]

Congrats, very nice...very shiny

 

[flgolfer29]

Nice looking piece, now waiting on the range report !! I wonder how it compares to the lighter 442, hmmmm.

My new Model 40 should be in by the middle of next week.

 

[Lt JL]

here's one that came in a Centennial box, but was marked model 40. SN 15163. I think maybe 1953 vintage

 

[los]

...Nice looking piece, now waiting on the range report !! I wonder how it compares to the lighter 442, hmmmm.

My new Model 40 should be in by the middle of next week.

Thanks a bunch. I hope to take her out this weekend. The 40 is a little heavier than the 442 so felt recoil should be a tad less punishable on the 40. It's pretty much all subjective anyway.

The 442 is a littel more comfy in pocket carry, i'm sure.

Be sure to post photos of yours when you get a chance and let's document the s/n range, too.

 

[NCBeagle]

Here is my contribution. This dates to 1973 (Serial No. L693X). I purchased it from a retired Kentucky State Police officer earlier this year. It was a police evidence gun sold at auction. It is in good shape except for a scratch on the side-plate. Grips are numbered to the gun, still has the little pin to hold the grip safety down. I carry it frequently.

 

[29aholic]

here's one that came in a Centennial box, but was marked model 40. SN 15163. I think maybe 1953 vintage

1953 would not be model marked, I'd say yours dates to 57/58. Nice gun.

 

[los]

here's one that came in a Centennial box, but was marked model 40. SN 15163. I think maybe 1953 vintage

Stunning specimen.!

I'll go forward and revise the list to show the s/n range.

THANK YOU very much for the photo and the valuable information.

 

[los]

1953 would not be model marked, I'd say yours dates to 57/58. Nice gun.

I thought the 4/5-screw side plate was re-designed by the time the model 40 was introduced in 1957 ?

The s/n does place it at 57/58.. Hmmm...

 

[los]

Very nice, NC.

Could you provide the first few numbers of the s/n to document a year/month range?? You can PM me the info if you'd like.

Thanks.
- Jimmy

 

[NCBeagle]

Very nice, NC.

Could you provide the first few numbers of the s/n to document a year/month range?? You can PM me the info if you'd like.

Thanks.
- Jimmy

Thanks Jimmy. I added the info to my original post after your suggestion. Should have done that the first time around. The serial no. is L693*.

 

[los]

Thank You, Sir.

 

[Malysh]

Mod 40 #17699 shipped 1961. Note the 4 screw frame. This Mod 40 was manufactured prior to 1957 but it wasn't sold for another 5 years.

 

[los]

Malysh, great looking Piece. Would you happen to know the month it was shipped..?

Another Member /Owner has reported in with a 4 screw Model 40 that was shipped in 57. Both yours and his are very unique, indeed.

I'll add your info to the Time Line.

Thank you very much for the photos and your contribution!

 

[Malysh]

Malysh, great looking Piece. Would you happen to know the month it was shipped..?

Another Member has reporting in with a 4 screw Model 40 that was shipped in 57. Both yours and his are very unique, indeed.

I'll add your info to the Time Line.

Thank you very much for the photos and your contribution!

I have the letter upstairs in the safe. I'll get it out and let you know.

I also have Centennial Airweight #3651, lettered as sold in 1954 with the strain or bug screw imposed over the top side plate screw. I think that one was actually mfg. in 1953. As for 1952s, the first year of production for the Centennial Airweight and the Centennial, we don't find many of them that lettered in the "first year" as production of the Airweight started in Nov. 1952 and the Centennial production started in Dec 1952, so not too many of them were made during the "first year".

One can make a case that any 1953 Centennial Airweight or Centennial sold before the end of Nov and Dec 1953 respectively were made within 12 months of the beginning of production dates. Dates are from Roy Jinks' book "The History of Smith & Wesson"

 

[los]

..I have the letter upstairs in the safe. I'll get it out and let you know.

Thanks. I appreciate it.

...I also have Centennial Airweight #3651, lettered as sold in 1954 with the strain or bug screw imposed over the top side plate screw. I think that one was actually mfg. in 1953.

Valuable information, in deed. The s/n has been logged in it's designated area.

...As for 1952s, the first year of production for the Centennial Airweight and the Centennial, we don't find many of them that lettered in the "first year" as production of the Airweight started in Nov. 1952 and the Centennial production started in Dec 1952, so not too many of them were made during the "first year".

Affirmative. Although I have a member/centennial owner reporting in with a s/n 11xx, shipped in 1952. It would appear that S&W was very busy at the end of 52 shipping out a large amount of Centennials.

...Dates are from Roy Jinks' book "The History of Smith & Wesso

Sounds like an authoritative source. I needs to get me one of those...

 

[Malysh]

Los, you forgot to mention the introduction of the Mod 640 sometime in the early 90s. These were the first Centennials reintroduced after the L prefix model was discontinued in 1974. I feel this is a true Centennial even though it did not have the grip safety feature. Mod 640s also have the larger frame cutout for standard size S&W washers and grips.

 

[los]

Los, you forgot to mention the introduction of the Mod 640 sometime in the early 90s. I feel this is a true Centennial even though it did not have the grip safety feature. Mod 640s also have the larger frame cutout for standard size S&W washers and grips.

I actually thought long and hard about including the venerable 640. It's definitely a direct descendant of the original Centennial.

But I wanted to keep the Thread specific to the Centennial and it's variants that incorporated the grip safety feature.

Heck, I'm having a tough time just keeping up with the history and all the changes that took place with the Model 40/42 before it was canned in 74.

 

[Malysh]

I actually thought long and hard about including the venerable 640. It's definitely a direct descendant of the original Centennial.

But I wanted to keep the Thread specific to the Centennial and it's variants that incorporated the grip safety feature.

Heck, I'm having a tough time just keeping up with the history and all the changes that took place with the Model 40/42 before it was canned in 74.

It's your thread and your call. The Mod 640 is a genuine Centennial and has the distinction of being the first Centennial model to be reintroduced after production of the L prefix series ended in 1974. It lead the way, so to speak, for the 642 etal, and the "Classic" Centennials that were introduced a few years ago.