New 40-1 Centennial Classic

O

OldLawman

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I just lucked into a NIB 40-1, and was curious if anyone knows the production span of these guns. They are the model with a grip safety, and came in polished blue (mine), nickel and case-hardened frames.

I have been an S&W armorer for over 35 years, and I will observe it has the tightest fitted side plate I have seen in a long while.

Thanks for any info.
 
Here's a blued 40-1 with Pachmayr grips for carry.

The nickel 40-1 belongs to my daughter. Asked her if I could carry it. She said "no." Ha.

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
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OldLawman said:
Added the grip adapter for the old school look and feel.
Click to expand...

I like it.

It would really pop with a pair of high horn stocks.

Here's my January '55 shipped model and a flashback just for fun (thank you Dr. Jinks!).
 

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As I study you feller's (and Olivia's) newfangled Centennials, the
one thing that strikes me is the thumbpiece.

At a time when Smith & Wesson had gone forward with MIM parts
and a new shaped, beveled, thumbpiece, the company chose to put
a prewar style thumbpiece on the new-old Centennial. No J-frame
revolver ever wore that thumbpiece. It did carry over after the
war, but by 1950 when the Chiefs Special came out on the J-frame
the thumbpiece had changed. The pinched, hourglass, between
the screw and "paddle" was gone.

Things that make you go, "Hmmm."
 
I believe the Classic series Model 40 was introduced in 2007. The new incarnation of grip safety didn't have the provision for an extra pin to disable the grip safety.
These also take different grips than normal J frames. The external shape of the grip tang is the same, but where the backside of the grip fits into the frame is different because of clearance needed for the grip safety.
 
two-bit cowboy said:
As I study you feller's (and Olivia's) newfangled Centennials, the
one thing that strikes me is the thumbpiece.

At a time when Smith & Wesson had gone forward with MIM parts
and a new shaped, beveled, thumbpiece, the company chose to put
a prewar style thumbpiece on the new-old Centennial. No J-frame
revolver ever wore that thumbpiece. It did carry over after the
war, but by 1950 when the Chiefs Special came out on the J-frame
the thumbpiece had changed. The pinched, hourglass, between
the screw and "paddle" was gone.

Things that make you go, "Hmmm."
Click to expand...


Bob,

You certainly have an eagle eye for details. Interesting observation. So, I went upstairs and pulled out another 40-1, not previously pictured. It's the one with Eagle Secret Service grips. I think those are Eagle.

From top to bottom, we have a 1972 Model 42, a 40-1, and another 40-1.

The 1974 and middle 40-1 have the same thumbpiece. The bottom 40-1 has the pinched, hourglass shape. So, it's inconsistent in the 40-1 lineup.

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Looked some other stuff. I have two of the Models 42-2. These are relatively modern production. One has the pinched, hourglass shape thumbpiece. I was too lazy to dig out the other 42–2.

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Here is a 1973 Model 40. It has the same thumbpiece as the 1974 Model 42 (not pinched, hourglass).
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The thumb piece used on the Classic Model 40 is a modified version of the MIM thumb piece used on the larger frame Classics at the time. S&W wanted an older looking thumb piece for the Model 40 reintroduction and went with that as a feasible option. Relatively low expected production wouldn’t justify a new MIM tool.
 
I have one of the nickel ones. I have secret service grips on it. It is my constant companion.
If I ever see another one, and/or a 42, I would buy it.
 
I was very impressed when the -1 engineering revision was released back in the 2000s and I'm sorry that I never bought one with the color case hardened in frame because I think it looked really sharp

There was a very tiny run of engraved 40-1s but with a couple of gold wedding bands and I grabbed one of those because I thought it looked very good

This is product code 150221

40eng1s.jpg
 
I have a Case Hardened Centennial.
My only issue is it appears there is a clear coat on it that is flaking off because I didn’t read the fine print on a gun care product I used.
I’ve heard that Turnbull did the CCH on these and they are marked on grip frame.
Mine has no marking so…..
 

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colt_saa said:
I was very impressed when the -1 engineering revision was released back in the 2000s and I'm sorry that I never bought one with the color case hardened in frame because I think it looked really sharp

There was a very tiny run of engraved 40-1s but with a couple of gold wedding bands and I grabbed one of those because I thought it looked very good

This is product code 150221

40eng1s.jpg
Click to expand...

Mark,

I am always glad to see that engraved 40-1 pop up in a thread. It is stunning. I'd snatch one up at the first opportunity.
 
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