New 642 no dash coming soon!

[Etalksalot]

I am getting closer and closer to picking up my no dash 642! I'm not a huge fan of Centennials except the original 40's and 42's but it's growing on me. Since it has no coating I'm going to polish it up a little and put some magnas on it and it just may grow on me yet. I just got my 4th edition of the SCSW as well! I've been wanting one for a long time. I was really hoping for more pictures of different models and pictures of more rare Smiths but I still love the book. I just read that they had a few early no dash 642's with a polished blued finish on it. I'd LOVE to see one of those. Of anyone has one please feel free to share it! I also saw the 642 with a polished blued finish, no shroud on the ejector rod and it was a 6 shot 32 mag. That would be pretty cool too.

Another thing I discovered is why the boxes from mid 60's to early 80's were gray sometimes. Apparently that was for nickel guns. I bought a nickel Mod. 36 and it came with a blue box. I know Smith had a lot of inconsistencies so that's probably why, that or someone swapped the label but it looks like it would be the original.

[NCBeagle]

The 642 (no dash) is a great looking snub. I've been fortunate enough to snag a couple with box in the last two years. Also have a 637 (no dash) and 638 (no dash) which also have the clear anodized finish. These (637 and 638) are limited production. Maybe 500 or so each (forget the exact number) from 1989. One of the 642s is in my regular carry rotation. Post a photo when it arrives. Maybe I'll do a group photo of the clear anodized snubs in the next day or two.

**EDIT: just noticed that you referred to the 642 no dash as having "no coating." I believe the alloy frame is clear anodized. It's not raw metal. I recommend against trying to polish.

Also have a few of the 442 (no dash). A couple black and a matte nickel.

[Cal44]

I have a 442 in satin Nickel.

It's my understanding that S&W kept the Nickel 442s around, in part, for people who wanted a silver-look centennial that didn't have the finish problems of the early no dash 642s.

[Etalksalot]

Originally Posted by NCBeagle

**EDIT: just noticed that you referred to the 642 no dash as having "no coating." I believe the alloy frame is clear anodized. It's not raw metal. I recommend against trying to polish.

Also have a few of the 442 (no dash). A couple black and a matte nickel.

Noted! Thanks for the heads up. I have seen the 637 and 638 no dash in pictures. I love those especially the 638. Very nice. I believe the said the 642 ND there were about 12,000 something made of those, definitely not as limited as the other two.

[Etalksalot]

Originally Posted by Cal44

I have a 442 in satin Nickel.

It's my understanding that S&W kept the Nickel 442s around, in part, for people who wanted a silver-look centennial that didn't have the finish problems of the early no dash 642s.

That makes sense. I wish they still offered both blued and nickel finishes like back in the day instead of the matte finishes.

[Etalksalot]

Can anyone tell me what the original stocks were on the 642 ND?? Was it the Uncle Mike's boot grips or did it have magnas?

[Cal44]

Don't know about 642 ND, but the 442 ND came with UM boot grips.

[ContinentalOp]

I bought my 642ND in the 90s and it came with Uncle Mike's boot grips. I believe the Ladysmith version came with smooth rosewood panels (magnas?).

[NCBeagle]

Originally Posted by Etalksalot

Can anyone tell me what the original stocks were on the 642 ND?? Was it the Uncle Mike's boot grips or did it have magnas?

I'll check when I get home. Thinking that it is the UM boot grip. I have one with the UM boot and one with magnas and cannot remember if I added the wood. The boxes should clear it up.

Ryan

[ABPOS]

What does the ND stand for?

Excited for you. Would like to see pics of it polished up if you in fact can do that. Before and after would be great!!!!

[Cal44]

Originally Posted by ABPOS

What does the ND stand for?

Excited for you. Would like to see pics of it polished up if you in fact can do that. Before and after would be great!!!!

ND = No Dash

[NCBeagle]

Originally Posted by Etalksalot

That makes sense. I wish they still offered both blued and nickel finishes like back in the day instead of the matte finishes.

Agreed. That's why I'm looking for a 042 (Not the 42) if anyone is looking to unload one.

[Etalksalot]

Originally Posted by ContinentalOp

I bought my 642ND in the 90s and it came with Uncle Mike's boot grips. I believe the Ladysmith version came with smooth rosewood panels (magnas?).

You are correct about the lady Smith, if you bought it in the 90's UM boots were probably the proper style. Thanks!

[Etalksalot]

Originally Posted by ABPOS

What does the ND stand for?

Excited for you. Would like to see pics of it polished up if you in fact can do that. Before and after would be great!!!!

Well, I have been warned not to, so I probably won't. However, I saw a video online about a gu ywho had a new 638 WITH the internal lock and he actually polished it up enough to make it look like a mirror nickel plate! Didn't think it was eve possible. Though he mentioned things like grinding, maybe sanding be a use he would've had to remove the coated finish but he did it. It's amazing! I'd love to do that, but I'm not that good at it.

[Etalksalot]

Originally Posted by NCBeagle

Agreed. That's why I'm looking for a 042 (Not the 42) if anyone is looking to unload one.

I just saw photographs of those in the SCSW, very nice.

[Sodacracker]

[QUOTE=Etalksalot;140267635]I am getting closer and closer to picking up my no dash 642! I'm not a huge fan of Centennials except the original 40's and 42's but it's growing on me. Since it has no coating I'm going to polish it up a little and put some magnas on it and it just may grow on me yet. I just got my 4th edition of the SCSW as well! I've been wanting one for a long time. I was really hoping for more pictures of different models and pictures of more rare Smiths but I still love the book. I just read that they had a few early no dash 642's with a polished blued finish on it. I'd LOVE to see one of those. Of anyone has one please feel free to share it! I also saw the 642 with a polished blued finish, no shroud on the ejector rod and it was a 6 shot 32 mag. That would be pretty cool too.

Another thing I discovered is why the boxes from mid 60's to early 80's were gray sometimes. Apparently that was for nickel guns. I bought a nickel Mod. 36 and it came with a blue box. I know Smith had a lot of inconsistencies so that's probably why, that or someone swapped the label but it looks like it would be the original.[/QUOTE

Forgive my ignorance,”but what does”no dash” mean?

[ContinentalOp]

Originally Posted by Sodacracker

Forgive my ignorance,”but what does”no dash” mean?

Short version: Sometimes when S&W updates their models, or makes some variation, they add a dash and a number to it. "No dash" just means it's the first version with that model number, before any updates and/or variations.

Example:

642ND (no dash) = Stainless Airweight Centennial, .38 Special, not rated for +P, originally released in the 90s, IIRC.
642-1 = Stainless Airweight Centennial, updated with the J-Magnum frame and rated for +P; also went from hammer-mounted firing pin to frame-mounted firing pin.
642-2 = Same as 642-1, but with internal lock.

[Sodacracker]

Thank you!

[Engine49guy]

Originally Posted by NCBeagle

Agreed. That's why I'm looking for a 042 (Not the 42) if anyone is looking to unload one.

The Model 042 came in either satin or polished blue finish,

[Muss Muggins]

You ever get this thing in? I love mine, and the 442 I have as well . . .