S&W MODEL 46
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You have to look in the M41 serial no. lineup to find the manufacturing date on this gun. There was approx 4000 of these made period of which I also own one myself from 1963. They use the same mag as the M41 and 422 as well and are just a M41 with less options and possibly a 7" barrel instead of the 7 and 3/8" barrel the early 41's had. DO NOT use High powered ammo in it but only CCI SV. if you want it to last. They shoot the very same as a 41 and were originally made for the US military teams for practise guns. They did not need all the options on them but are great guns to own and shoot. They also normally came with plastic grips on them but I for one have switched them over to original M41 wood grips myself. The Plastic grips are worth slightly more then the wood grips as well if they are in good shape. I know you will enjoy this gun for sure. Pics are very appreciated on here of every new to any of us purchase as well. Thank You
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728XX probably shipped 1665 - possibly 66
Pictures?
Bbl length?
What included?
Pictures?
Bbl length?
What included?
Aussie Collector
Member
The serial numbers as pointed out are in the same series as the other Semi-autos at the time. Barrie is correct the serial number of other models can be used to approximate the date however on some occasions can be out by many years.
The serial number you quote is around the time of the 5 1/2 inch heavy barrel, if that is what you have its reported only 1000 were made. The total number of 46 is reported as 4000 in the 3 barrel lengths.
When reading of the model 46 you will see mention of a square cut slide which is earlier, yours will have come with the round cut.
Please post some pictures its a bit hard giving comment on little information or something we cannot see.
The serial number you quote is around the time of the 5 1/2 inch heavy barrel, if that is what you have its reported only 1000 were made. The total number of 46 is reported as 4000 in the 3 barrel lengths.
When reading of the model 46 you will see mention of a square cut slide which is earlier, yours will have come with the round cut.
Please post some pictures its a bit hard giving comment on little information or something we cannot see.
Aussie Collector
Member
The barrel lengths are correct 5-1/2" and 7"
Starting at the box. It should have "Model 46" printed on one end with the barrel length. I suspect it will be 7". On the bottom of the box the serial number should be written that matches the gun.
The manual or parts list is the original one it should be dated Aug 1 1959. Please let me know once you have it if it is not.
The model 46 its self I suspect has the original barrel on it being 7". The reason I say that is the 5-1/2 heavy barrel is of a later period than the gun. The stocks have been replaced as yours should have come with red nylon stocks, having said that it is possible it was ordered or shipped with timber. Something about the serial number stamp looks odd, might be the photo angle or lighting?
The 5-1/2" heavy barrel is of a later vintage than the gun. Notice it has the newer style of ampersand (&). This barrel dates a few years after the gun. Shame its been engraved, I have seen that engraving and initials somewhere I cannot remember where.
The barrel with the optics mounted is a model 41 barrel. It will fit onto the model 46 however the grooved edge around the slide will show up and looks odd when mounted with a model 46 slide. works fine just looks odd. This barrel is much newer than the rest.
All in all a great package. Well bought.
Edit..please do post more pictures once you get it.
Starting at the box. It should have "Model 46" printed on one end with the barrel length. I suspect it will be 7". On the bottom of the box the serial number should be written that matches the gun.
The manual or parts list is the original one it should be dated Aug 1 1959. Please let me know once you have it if it is not.
The model 46 its self I suspect has the original barrel on it being 7". The reason I say that is the 5-1/2 heavy barrel is of a later period than the gun. The stocks have been replaced as yours should have come with red nylon stocks, having said that it is possible it was ordered or shipped with timber. Something about the serial number stamp looks odd, might be the photo angle or lighting?
The 5-1/2" heavy barrel is of a later vintage than the gun. Notice it has the newer style of ampersand (&). This barrel dates a few years after the gun. Shame its been engraved, I have seen that engraving and initials somewhere I cannot remember where.
The barrel with the optics mounted is a model 41 barrel. It will fit onto the model 46 however the grooved edge around the slide will show up and looks odd when mounted with a model 46 slide. works fine just looks odd. This barrel is much newer than the rest.
All in all a great package. Well bought.
Edit..please do post more pictures once you get it.
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If you need a set of original S&W Factory M46 grips, send me a message via EMAIL from my listing on this forum.
I'm sure Aussie Collector (Jaimie) will check in but there were a few production runs and IIRC 2x,xxx, 4x,xxx, 7x,xxx and I "think" 9x,xxx NONE of which had a prefix letter.
Some of my Historical letters have shipping dates seemingly out of sequence, which is not odd for S&W.
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Your 46 was shipped March 1965. The top bbl in the first picture is an S&W 41 bbl (note undercut not on the 46 bbls). The 5.5" bull bbl can be correct. The std. "&" showed up on a few 46 bbls , but all 46 bbls were produced prior to the "&" switch on 41s about 1970.
As noted above, the 41 bbl can be used on the 46 frame and slide (but ugly due to gap). A 41 slide could be bought to match up with that bbl when used on the 46 frame. The instruction/parts list is one of the rarer ones - take good care of it. Consider getting a 5" bbl and weight(s) to build the package. Grips of wood and plastic were being shipped in this period, but plastic was more common.
Warning NO HOT ammo with the 46 slide - subject to crack. Also due to age, suggest a real detailed cleaning (grips off) because of probable set-up crud. ENJOY!!!!
As noted above, the 41 bbl can be used on the 46 frame and slide (but ugly due to gap). A 41 slide could be bought to match up with that bbl when used on the 46 frame. The instruction/parts list is one of the rarer ones - take good care of it. Consider getting a 5" bbl and weight(s) to build the package. Grips of wood and plastic were being shipped in this period, but plastic was more common.
Warning NO HOT ammo with the 46 slide - subject to crack. Also due to age, suggest a real detailed cleaning (grips off) because of probable set-up crud. ENJOY!!!!
Aussie Collector
Member
G'day Tom, my records show this gun as shipped February 1966?
I also think the new ampersand came out on model 46s in the 90000 range, the only exception being of the Indiana Ford Dealer guns, I suspect put together at a later date for the group, thats what my research tells me anyway.
I agree with the parts list, one of the rarer ones, please list the prices date listed on the second page once you get it. I am surprised to see this list with such a late gun as the second list type came out in 1960. I think the box may need more investigation. Please post more pictures once you get it.
I also think the new ampersand came out on model 46s in the 90000 range, the only exception being of the Indiana Ford Dealer guns, I suspect put together at a later date for the group, thats what my research tells me anyway.
I agree with the parts list, one of the rarer ones, please list the prices date listed on the second page once you get it. I am surprised to see this list with such a late gun as the second list type came out in 1960. I think the box may need more investigation. Please post more pictures once you get it.
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Aussie Collector
Member
There actually could be a few with an alpha prefix, an "A" prefix to signify duplicate serial numbers. Im not aware of any yet, however it is entirely possible.
The serial ranges you list are correct, 20k, 40k 70k, 90k.
Aussie Collector
Member
824tsv, That is a very nice clean model 46.
I have a few 46s all missing the barrel weight, have another on the way, well awaiting inspection and negotiations, not if I want it but how much, here's hoping it has the weight.
As far as i'm aware all the model 46 7" barrels have the lazy ampersand.
I have a few 46s all missing the barrel weight, have another on the way, well awaiting inspection and negotiations, not if I want it but how much, here's hoping it has the weight.
As far as i'm aware all the model 46 7" barrels have the lazy ampersand.
"I have a few 46s all missing the barrel weight"
Over the years I've bought up various parts that I find including 2 new 7" 46 barrel weights with screws and 2 mint sets of plastic stocks. I'm always on the hunt for another 46, but they are elusive critters especially up here.
Over the years I've bought up various parts that I find including 2 new 7" 46 barrel weights with screws and 2 mint sets of plastic stocks. I'm always on the hunt for another 46, but they are elusive critters especially up here.
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I just picked up the pistol,the story behind the pistol is that it was given to a Michigan State Trooper as a marksmanship prize his initials were engraved on the 5.5 barrel.The box is a little ruff with no info paper tag on the side.Over all the pistol is in very nice shape.Here are some pictures that I just took.After looking at them please let me know what you guys think it's worth. Thank you.
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You did VERY well on this. Consider selling off the non 46 barrels. the 46s don't always fit the 41 barrels correctly which may require buying a spare, newer 41 slide. When you try to fit the long barrel with the scope you'll see what I mean.
Keep all the 46 original parts and sell off the other barrels if you want to recover some $ if you want.
and ... listen to Jaime (Aussie Collector). I thought I knew most of the differences between the models, Jaime made it a SCIENCE !!
He's a walking encyclopedia on the 41 (in .22LR and .22 short), the 41-1 (22 short) and all the 46s.
Congrats, Sal
