The Definitive Model 40/42 Thread

[los]

Greetings, Everyone.

I thought it would be cool to have a Thread that was totally dedicated and specific to the S&W masterpiece that started it all. The safety hammerless J-Frame Centennial / Model 40. I intend to start a detailed and accurate time line that documents all the models, changes and serial number ranges from year to year.

So please feel free to post all the photos you'd like of your Centennials, Models 40, 42, 40-1 and 42-1 and also share photos of your carry rigs.

A little history on your piece would really be welcomed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Time Line for the Centennial and Model 40 :
(The Time Line will be amended and revised as information is obtained)

1952 - The Centennial Standard and Centennial Airweight (alloy frame) are introduced. The Centennial was named to commemorate Smith & Wesson's 100Th anniversary. The Centennial was designed with a [safety] hammerless frame and had a grip safety that required it to be depressed in order to allow the trigger to cock the internal hammer and strike the firing pin. Owner's had the option to disengage the grip safety by inserting a small pin that was supplied and shipped with each revolver. The subject Pin could be found in it's designated area in the frame between the stock panels. These handguns came with high horn smooth stocks and had a flat cylinder latch and a pinned barrel. They were produced with a numerical-only serial numbering system, that is, without a letter suffix. The frames had a 4 or 5 screw side plate. The Centennial Airweight had a weight of about 14.4 ounces as opposed to 20 ounces of the steel framed Centennial Standard. The Standard was available in Blue or Nickle finish. The Airweight was available in a Nickle or Matte Black finish.
SERIAL NO. range: - 0001,...11XX, -

1953: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range: - 248(April), -

1954: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range: - 3651(June), 3933(Nov), 455X, 5062(Nov), -

1955: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range:

1956: Final year of production of the " Centennial Standard" and "Centennial Airweight". They are replaced with a new designated [model] name for the following production year.
SERIAL NO. range: - 8014 (May),...9720, -

1957 - The Model 40 and Model 42 [Airweight] are introduced. A notable change from the original Centennial is the re-designed side plate which now incorporates an improved internal bevel, eliminating the top side plate screw's original location, making it a 3-screw side plate. The model number is stamped and located on the portion of the frame that's covered by the cylinder crane. There will be no other variants produced until the re-introduction in 2008.
SERIAL NO. range: - *3647(Dec) - 13218,...15163 -

1958: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range:

1959: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range:

1960: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range:

1961: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range: - 17699 (May)

1962 - Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range: -

1963: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range:

1964: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range:

1965: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range:

1966: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range:

1967 - This is the final year the numerical-only serial numbering system will be used. The last serial numbered piece is #30160. This is also the final year the flat cylinder latch will be used.
SERIAL NO. range: - 30160 (December)

1968 - Serial numbers are now assigned the letter "L" prefix. This new serial numbering system will continue until the end of production. The original flat cylinder latch is dropped for a re-designed latch. The new latch design will be used on all models until the end of series production. This is the final year the high horn smooth stocks will be issued.
SERIAL NO. range:

1969 - "Low horn" smooth stocks are now standard issue.
SERIAL NO. range:

1970: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range:

1971: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range:

1972: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range: L137X.(June)

1973: Production continues without any changes to the series.
SERIAL NO. range: - L693X

1974 - Total production ends. The last known Model 40 to be produced was serial number L9861. According to Smith & Wesson data, total production numbers totalled about 40,000 units from 1952 to 1974.
SERIAL NO. range: - L9861

2007: The new Model 40-1 and 42-1 are introduced and shipped out to distributors in late 2007. The Model 40-1 is available in three finishes (Blue, Nickle and Case Hardened). The Model 42-1 is currently only available in a matte black finish. The only external difference between the new Model 40-1/42-1 and the original is the reinforced frame as indicated by the rib on the left side in front of the cylinder latch. The new models are rated for .38 Special +P ammunition and are stamped as such on the left side of the barrel. The barrels are not pinned and the stocks are low horn diamond checkered style.
SERIAL NO. range: - DBJ90XX(Nov)

2008:
SERIAL NO. range: -

2009:
SERIAL NO. range: - CML2648 (June)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




* Please refer to posts 49 and 50 of this Thread for clarification.


** The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson list serial number blocks by the years that S&W used them. S&W would manufacture a large amount of frames, but would not use them for assembly for weeks, sometimes several years. Many times a frame with a later serial number would be assembled and shipped before an earlier serial numbered frame. It is important to know that the firearm's "age" or "build date" is actually documented by the date that it was shipped out of the S&W factory, not by the date of it's assembly. The only way to verify an exact date of your firearm is to obtain a letter from S&W, which can be requested through their web site for a minimal cost.


** Standard factory "J-frame" grips and aftermarket j-frame grips will not fit the Centennial - Model 40/42 series. The semi-circular area at the top of the grip is smaller than the other S&W J-Frame revolvers.




List of Forum Member Ownership:
** Centennial Standard ~ Centennial Airweight / Model 40 ~ 42 ~ 40-1 and 42-1 **
_____________________________________________________________________

NFrameFred: Centennial Standard; vintage 50s: Flat Latch ~ Smooth High Horns ~ Blue
H Richard:Model 40; 06/1972: Pinned barrel ~ Smooth Low Horns ~ Blue
29aholic: Centennial Standard; 05/1956: Flat Latch ~ Smooth High Horns ~ 4-screw side plate ~ Blue
TSmith49: Model 42; early 60s: Flat Latch ~ Smooth High Horns ~ 3 screw side plate ~ Matte Black
los: Model 40-1; 06/2009: ~ Nickle
Lt JL: Model 40; 00/1957: 4-screw side plate ~ Smooth High Horns ~ Nickle
NCBeagle: Model 40; 00/1973: Smooth Low Horns ~ Blue
Malysh: Model 40; 05/1961: 2" Barrel ~ Smooth High Horns ~ Flat Latch ~ 4-screw side plate ~ Blue
Malysh: Centennial Airweight; 06/1954: 2" barrel ~ Smooth High Horns ~ Flat Latch ~ 4-screw side plate w/bug screw ~ Blue







.

 

[NFrameFred]

The first models came with smooth stocks. They had a flat cylinder latch and a pinned barrel. They were serial numbered without a lettered suffix. .

You mean like this one ? All original, safety block pin still in the frame, second year production ?, serial number 11XX . . .



Though technically, this one belongs in the "1896 to 1961" category.

 

[los]

...You mean like this one ? All original, safety block pin still in the frame, first year production, serial number 11XX . . .

Yes, Sir. Just like that one.

Early models, such as yours, came with tall, high horned [smooth] stocks. The smooth stocks would shorten a bit in coming years and eventually replaced with checkered sets.

Extremely apropo to start this thread with an early vintage Centennial.

THANKS for the photo.

 

[H Richard]

This one dates to June 1972.

And the 940 dates to Aug. 91.

but the predecessor 32 Safety Hammerless dates to 1921.

 

[los]

Very nice, H Richard.

I'll bet the 940 is a joy to shoot with those stocks. The .32 lemon squeezer looks to be in excellent condition.

Your Model 40 is a fine example period Piece.!

Thanks for the photos, and your participation.

I'll start maintaining a list of all who post Centennial/Model 40' Ownership, and document d/o/m on their Piece, if available.

 

[29aholic]

I can play

Shipped about 1954

 

[los]

...Shipped about 1954

Awesome. Loaded, with a Shoe..!!

Is that a rubber Pachy grip adapter..?

..and Thanks. You're on the List.

 

[29aholic]

Awesome. Loaded, with a Shoe..!!

Is that a rubber Pachy grip adapter..?

..and Thanks. You're on the List.

Actually, its a Smith and Wesson GA but probably made by Pachymahr.

I find the trigger shoe helps with the long double action. And yes it is almost always loaded

If I think about it I'll post the serial number when I get home.

 

[los]

...If I think about it I'll post the serial number when I get home.

That would be a nice addition.

I'll also place a notation that yours is a 4-screw model. Definitely an early production Centennial Standard.

 

[TSmith49]

This one's a 42 serial # 162XX, early sixties maybe.

 

[los]

This one's a 42 serial # 162XX, early sixties maybe.

Our first Airweight.

The T-Grip blends in perfectly with your 42. Is yours a 4 or 5 screw model?

THANKS for the photo, TSmith49.

 

[ischia]

model 40/42 stocks

When did the "High Horn" stocks go away? Where they numbered to the gun? I have a set of the smooth later"Low Horn" type stamped "J" L&R and "8766" R only,2 pin holes each L&R. Black washers behind the silver S&W medallions. Perhaps a post on the classifieds is in order but I would like to know what I have first. Great idea as to a thread. Very informative with members pics to help learn all about an S&W model.

Thanks,
Ischia

 

[los]

When did the "High Horn" stocks go away? Where they numbered to the gun? I have a set of the smooth later"Low Horn" type stamped "J" L&R and "8766" R only,2 pin holes each L&R. Black washers behind the silver S&W medallions.

Great idea as to a thread. Very informative with members pics to help learn all about an S&W model.

Thanks,
Ischia

Thanks, ischia.

I'm not exactly sure when the high horns were discontinued but I think they were replaced by 1969. The "low horn" stocks were placed on the Models 40 and 42 when S&W started the "L" prefix serial number sometime in 1968-69. I think we'll learn a lot of info and history as Owners participate and share photos and production/shipping dates of their handguns.

I'm looking forward to obtaining and documenting an accurate time-line pertaining to the changes and model evolution of these beautiful handguns.

 

[TSmith49]

Our first Airweight.

The T-Grip blends in perfectly with your 42. Is yours a 4 or 5 screw model?

THANKS for the photo, TSmith49.

los,
It's a 3 screw.
You're welcome.
TS

 

[los]

...It's a 3 screw.

Good to know.

They may have re-designed the frame [to 3 screws] by the time they designated it the Model 40/42 in 1957. (?)

** AMENDED: Confirmed that the 4 and 5 screw models were last produced in 1956.

 

[29aholic]

Update due to my CRS disease

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.

 

[NFrameFred]

I'm sure, knowing these guys, that someone here has one earlier than mine and probably in 'as new' condition . . .

 

[flgolfer29]

** Standard "J-frame" aftermarket grips will not fit the Model 40. The semi-circular area at the top of the grip is smaller than the other S&W snub nose revolvers.[/color]
~~ .

los,
which Tyler T-Grip should I order to fit the new Model 40? or is the T-Grip not affected?

thanks,
Joe

 

[29aholic]

GA

los,
which Tyler T-Grip should I order to fit the new Model 40? or is the T-Grip not affected?

thanks,
Joe

Joe
The grip adapter for a "J" frame is the one you need. The one on mine is an S&W small. I dont know what Tyler's number is.

 

[los]

los,
which Tyler T-Grip should I order to fit the new Model 40? or is the T-Grip not affected?

thanks,
Joe

Hello, Joe.

According to their site, Tyler offers two models for J Frames. Centennial owners (thats us ) should order the #1 T-Grip.

- Jimmy