- Joined
- Feb 25, 2023
- Messages
- 142
- Reaction score
- 294
Hi folks -
I just purchased a nice M41 with SN 20580, and in the process of it, I compared it to a few years later M41 (SN 71362). I noted several differences:
1) Longer muzzle break (as per the SWSC)
2) Model Number stamped on left vs. right side of the frame (as per SWSC)
3) Stocks color is different. I thought the darker ones (on the 71362) are the earlier ones, but this seems to be the opposite here (who knows if those are original)- are the stock on the M41a supposed to be numbered as the magna stocks on the revolvers were until 1974 or so, or not - like the target stocks on the revolvers that are not numbered unless one went back to the late 50s?
3) The beaver tail on the earlier gun is less prominent than the later gun - see pics. Frame has slight differences in the rear with the older frame having shorter beaver tail end (less curve on it). I had not read this in the SWSC and just wanted to share - see if others may have noticed those differences? I compared against a couple of more later M41s, in the A serial range and they both had the taller / more curved beaver tail as well. I have an M46 with SN in the 24166 range and it also shows taller, so the change must have happened in that 2050-24166 range?
See pics, not great shots, but I think visible enough.
Finally, if someone can confirm years of shipment for those three SNs, I would appreciate it - from the SWSC and the features / changes noted there, it seems like they may 1959, 1961 and 1966-7? but I am not positive.
Thanks!
I just purchased a nice M41 with SN 20580, and in the process of it, I compared it to a few years later M41 (SN 71362). I noted several differences:
1) Longer muzzle break (as per the SWSC)
2) Model Number stamped on left vs. right side of the frame (as per SWSC)
3) Stocks color is different. I thought the darker ones (on the 71362) are the earlier ones, but this seems to be the opposite here (who knows if those are original)- are the stock on the M41a supposed to be numbered as the magna stocks on the revolvers were until 1974 or so, or not - like the target stocks on the revolvers that are not numbered unless one went back to the late 50s?
3) The beaver tail on the earlier gun is less prominent than the later gun - see pics. Frame has slight differences in the rear with the older frame having shorter beaver tail end (less curve on it). I had not read this in the SWSC and just wanted to share - see if others may have noticed those differences? I compared against a couple of more later M41s, in the A serial range and they both had the taller / more curved beaver tail as well. I have an M46 with SN in the 24166 range and it also shows taller, so the change must have happened in that 2050-24166 range?
See pics, not great shots, but I think visible enough.
Finally, if someone can confirm years of shipment for those three SNs, I would appreciate it - from the SWSC and the features / changes noted there, it seems like they may 1959, 1961 and 1966-7? but I am not positive.
Thanks!
