Early M41 Differences

[CKPOMEH]

Hi folks -

I just purchased a nice M41 with SN 20580, and in the process of it, I compared it to a few years later M41 (SN 71362). I noted several differences:

1) Longer muzzle break (as per the SWSC)
2) Model Number stamped on left vs. right side of the frame (as per SWSC)
3) Stocks color is different. I thought the darker ones (on the 71362) are the earlier ones, but this seems to be the opposite here (who knows if those are original)- are the stock on the M41a supposed to be numbered as the magna stocks on the revolvers were until 1974 or so, or not - like the target stocks on the revolvers that are not numbered unless one went back to the late 50s?
3) The beaver tail on the earlier gun is less prominent than the later gun - see pics. Frame has slight differences in the rear with the older frame having shorter beaver tail end (less curve on it). I had not read this in the SWSC and just wanted to share - see if others may have noticed those differences? I compared against a couple of more later M41s, in the A serial range and they both had the taller / more curved beaver tail as well. I have an M46 with SN in the 24166 range and it also shows taller, so the change must have happened in that 20580-24166 range?

See pics, not great shots, but I think visible enough.

Finally, if someone can confirm years of shipment for those three SNs, I would appreciate it - from the SWSC and the features / changes noted there, it seems like they may 1959, 1961 and 1966-7? but I am not positive.

Thanks!

 

[Bastogne71]

1. The muzzle break was shortened from 1 9/16" to 1 5/16" in 1961
2. The model number was moved to the right side about #27500 in 1961
3. The early stocks were usually darker walnut with a matte finish. Around 1970 they were changed to a normally a shinier lighter walnut.
4. A minor frame forging occurred about #46000 in 1964 that I know of but I'm sure that there were others.
5. Smith & Wesson did not manufacture or ship in serial number order so any dating by serial number is an educated guess. I have five model 41's in my database in the 71xxx range with 4 shipped in 1966 but the highest number one shipped in April 1965. Of four in the 20xxx range, one was a 1960, two in 1961, and the fourth in 1962. You can see the problem - only a letter from the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation can precisely date your pistols.

 

[CKPOMEH]

1. The muzzle break was shortened from 1 9/16" to 1 5/16" in 1961
2. The model number was moved to the right side about #27500 in 1961
3. The early stocks were usually darker walnut with a matte finish. Around 1970 they were changed to a normally a shinier lighter walnut.
4. A minor frame forging occurred about #46000 in 1964 that I know of but I'm sure that there were others.
5. Smith & Wesson did not manufacture or ship in serial number order so any dating by serial number is an educated guess. I have five model 41's in my database in the 71xxx range with 4 shipped in 1966 but the highest number one shipped in April 1965. Of four in the 20xxx range, one was a 1960, two in 1961, and the fourth in 1962. You can see the problem - only a letter from the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation can precisely date your pistols.

Yep - indeed, ranges for the DOBs only at best - thank you, this was super helpful!

I also noted the longer muzzle break has a different color vs. the shorter / later ones - the later ones (I have another from the 1970s) is pretty much black, appearing like how an aluminium would look. I doubt it is aluminim, though...

The longer one seems to have almost red-ish tint into it. Probably some materials differences between those.

I have not opened the barrels to see if the integrated weights are in there, but assume so as the muzzle breaks should be screwd into the internal weights, right?