A brief history of the Centennial revolvers

[DC7]

Correction

For masochists willing to discharge potent .357 Magnum loads from 11-ounce guns, the models 340Sc, 342Ti and 340PD came on stream in the new century...

Paladin: The 342Ti was a .38 Special, not .357 Magnum.

Overall, great article! Thanks for posting it.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I have made some minor modifications to the original draft, giving the end of the L-series serial number range (L9861), and dropping the 342Ti from the .357 mag category into the .38 special lineup.

I cannot address serial number ranges by year or when finish/numbering protocols might have changed; existing references are not that exact. I suppose rough yearly interpolations could be made from the fact that about 40,000 guns might have been made from 1952 to 1974. With Smith & Wesson, it's anybody's guess, and I'm sure that production was not equal in all years and some serial number blocks might not have been used.

The number-of-words limitation imposed by the space available in The Blue Press will not allow further elaborations. As to finishes and trigger types, I've observed a lot of variance in various specimens, but would hesitate to apply any generalities on serial ranges/dates of manufacture. It's fairly well known that the stocks for the Centennials were different based on a smaller semicircular cutout in the grip frame, but elaborating on this fact might take up more space than I have for a centerfold article with picture unless I do some trimming in other parts of it. We'll see.

Perhaps someday someone with an extensive collection or access to factory records (Roy Jinks?) could put together a very interesting book on the Centennials with all their permutations. Unfortunately, I'm not that guy and my objective is simply to paint the breed with broad brush strokes.

I very much appreciate all the comments and corrections, most of which I have been able to incorporate into the draft article, which is essentially revised currently in the original post. Thanks, guys, for your sharp eyes and expertise! Any other observations would be most welcome before I put the article to bed.

John

 

[Bat Guano]

Good article. These little guns deserve a good writeup.

 

[sheriffoconee]

Got this shipped today in a gunbroker deal for $334.99 shipped to my FFL..wearing BK grip adapter
Cleaned up nicely, has a few thin spots in the bluing....but I don't mind honest wear....serial number 25178

 

[sw44spl]

great post thanks for the info I learned something.

 

[photoman]

Nice post. The Centennials are my favorite Smith & Wesson by far.

 

[bronco45]

Love my Centennials, both airweights; different colors.

Had a 640, 38 years ago and foolishly sold it, always looking for another 640 or a 40 would be nice.

 

[Combat_Diver]

Paladin,

Excellent info, thanks


CD

 

[Hondo44]

Yes Paladin, very excellent write-up. Always liked the Centennials. But it took my favorite caliber to finally get one, the Sc/Ti 296 in 44 Spl. No 'grip safety' and unfortunately not the same fine lines but it shoots very well and it is light, even with the added SS cylinder in place of the Ti cylinder.

 

[Hondo44]

EXCELLENT post,
May I make a couple of suggestions?

Also might touch on what parts of the guns were serialed and until when.
(IE serials on first year guns can be found stamped on the frame butt, cylinder face, barrel flat and inside grip panel.

The grip info would be excellent additions since they are so unique to the Centennials. Oh well, not enough space.

And also serialed on the back side of the ejector and back side of the crane, visible through one of the chambers.

 

[somethtodo]

Paladin, Thanks - that was extemely informative...I was wondering if I could bother you to elaborate on the Model 042 and where it fits into the whole Centennial progression.

Thanks

 

[PALADIN85020]

Paladin, Thanks - that was extemely informative...I was wondering if I could bother you to elaborate on the Model 042 and where it fits into the whole Centennial progression.

Thanks

The Model 042 was an uncatalogued group of 642s that were initially rejected for mis-matched finishes in the early 1990s. There were about 3,000 of them. They were then highly polished and blued, and the "6" in "642" was overstamped with a "0". A later shipment of 500-700 went out, also marked "042", but these were finished in the matte blue color typified by the 442. These all went to a large wholesaler. They are collector's items now, but pretty much the same as 642s or 442s as far as frame and cylinder construction are concerned.

Hope this helps.

John

 

[jhvaughan2]

Great article, and great feedback. This place is so educational.

I would like to suggest a reference to the 296. Not a true centennial but a related design worth a mention like the bodyguard gets. It is also something of which many people have no knowledge.

 

[gkitch]

high-horn grips

So the high-horn grips were ALWAYS optional? Even the early Centennials may have come with either grip?

 

[PALADIN85020]

So the high-horn grips were ALWAYS optional? Even the early Centennials may have come with either grip?

My references show that the early Centennials were offered with checked diamond walnut or smooth wood high horned stocks. The Model 40s had checked diamond walnut Magna style stocks or smooth high horned wood stocks. The question as to whether the earlier Centennial standard checked stocks were Magna or high horned is a question someone else might want to answer. In Jinks' History of Smith & Wesson, 1977 edition, on page 230 there is a picture of a circa 1969 Centennial with smooth stocks that are NOT high-horn, so that further clouds the issue. That's about all I can discover for you.

John

 

[PMRet]

How about some information on the "other" Centennial, the original model 632?

 

[0le]

Paladin, Thank you for the informative post. I'm just figuring out what I have. Here's a few pics.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Paladin, Thank you for the informative post. I'm just figuring out what I have. Here's a few pics.

Looks like you have a very early Centennial - 3 digit serial number, top screw on the side plate and flat latch, plus the right box for it, also! The trigger shoe was very popular back in the day; I have them on some of my guns. Great gun! By the way, in that last picture you also show a grip attachment for a Colt Woodsman; there were two sizes, designed to give different grip angles when installed on the backstrap of the grip frame.

John

 

[18DAI]

Thanks for the GREAT post Paladin. I enjoyed reading the history.

I love my 640-1. Only J-frame I own......only one I need too! Regards 18DAI

 

[Doug M.]

I have a 442 and a 296. The 442 is a last ditch more or less tertiary gun. The 296 is for dog walking and the like, carried in a fanny pack with 2 speed loaders (200 grain Gold Dots). It is far more pleasant to shoot than any light J frame.