Centennial question

[w8lfter]

Hello all,

Been bit by the J frame bug. Ive found two nice ones at a local shop a pre 40 and a 42. I just picked up a new 642 and these caught my eye. The pre 40 is in good condition and still in its blue box.
The 42 is a little wierd. First red box with fully printed airweight label. Second it has a bug screw so I though it was very early. But it is model marked as a 42 (!?). Did I find something rare or odd.

W8lfter

 

[JayCeeNC]

Yep, I think it's odd.
Can you get pictures of the model marking and the bug screw?
For collecting purposes I'd buy most anything in decent shape with the original red box numbered to the gun unless it was outrageously priced.

Pre-Model 37 Airweight Chief's Special with "bug" screw:

 

[H Richard]

It is my understanding that it is not unusual for an older air-weight to have a bug screw. Evidently the recoil of the light weight guns loosened up the every short top screw. However, there weren't a tremendous number of them made.

Fine looking example, I'd buy both the 42 and pre 40. They don't make them anymore.

 

[w8lfter]

Thanks all,

Probably gonna go back and look at both again. Anyone know how you tell if an Airweight has an aluminum cylinder. Stick a magnet on it?

W8lfter

 

[TACC1]

Good question about the magnet; I thought my 642 had an aluminum cylinder with steel liners, so I checked it out. Magnet
latched right on to that puppy! I suppose I could use my knife to
score the metal, but I don't think that's an option for either of us!
TACC1

 

[H Richard]

For a long time I mistakenly assumed a Stainless gun would not hold a magnet. Wrong, the stainless alloy S&W uses will attract to a magnet.