Help needed for dating Model 41

[DUSTYDOGDAN]

Hello everyone.
I am looking to buy my first Model 41 and would like to know what year it is.
It has a Cocking Indicator with 5.5 inch barrel.
The seller is saying he thinks it is made in the 1960's.
My research shows 1960 to 1969 but if it can be narrowed down to what year in 1960 it will help me decide better.
The serial number is 94712. Thanks for any help, Dan

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

Made in '60's sounds about right. Hard to pin down the year without a letter. The SCSW says serial numbers for semi-auto pistols start in 1954 at 001 and go to 115,000 1970. After '70 starts an A prefix. My guess is late '60's. Someone will be along with a lettered example with a number close to yours, should narrow down a little. Looking forward to a better answer to your question from someone with better information than me.

 

[larryofcc]

Hello everyone.
I am looking to buy my first Model 41 and would like to know what year it is.
It has a Cocking Indicator with 5.5 inch barrel.
The seller is saying he thinks it is made in the 1960's.
My research shows 1960 to 1969 but if it can be narrowed down to what year in 1960 it will help me decide better.
The serial number is 94712. Thanks for any help, Dan

#94999, shipped 4-13-1967 per letter. 5 1/2" with extendable front sight. Big Larry

 

[DUSTYDOGDAN]

Thanks for the responses. If anyone else could please chime in I would really apricate it.

 

[Bastogne71]

Smith & Wesson did not manufacture or ship its arms in serial number order so dating by serial number order is the least reliable method to use. Here are several shipping dates in the 94k range for model 41’s in my database:

94036 June 67
94322 July 67
94586 March 68
94672 Sept 67
94999 April 67 (larryofcc’s pistol)

So looking at this table, #94712 most likely shipped in late summer or early fall of 1967. But note that Larry’s is the highest number on this list but was the earliest shipped. And what’s the story on #94586? I can give you many examples of odd shipping date if you are interested.

The only positive way to date any S&W product is to pay the S&W Historical Association for a letter.

 

[DUSTYDOGDAN]

Thanks for helping everyone.
It looks to be a 1967.
I was hoping it was going to turn out to be a 1966 because that is my birth year.
If anyone else has an opinion please speak up.
I have until 3-15-23 to say I will take it.

 

[CMYSIX]

have it lettered

 

[SRT]

Join the S&WCA and you can get the date (month and year) of shipment without charge directly from Roy Jinks.

 

[DUSTYDOGDAN]

have it lettered

I really do not want to letter something I do not own. Thanks for responding.

 

[Mike0251]

#73590 shipped March 22 1965 per letter.