Model 41 Always remember buy quality & diversify

[sbowenjr]

So I traded a couple of guns & a little cash to bring this model 41 home yesterday at the Winston Salem gun show. This will make my third model 41. I probibly over paid / traded for it but it is just about as complete as they come. Matching box with owners manual, muzzle break, holster, clips, original owners permit from 1972 and I forgot to mention a 5 " barrel wrapped up nicely in smith and Wesson wax paper. I think the muzzle break is a aftermarket one though as the one on my older 41 is longer. I will probibly sell the grips. Any idea as to a fair price for the grips they look brand new but as they are not factory they do not intrest me in the slightest. Thanks for letting me share. Please forgive the glare on the extra barrel.

 

[Ed Fowler]

What makes you think they are not factory?

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

sbowen - the second bbl shown is the rarer 5" sport bbl ($400 range) and the BRAKE appears to be correct. The 5" bbl could use a rear sight. Is there a 5.5" bbl not seen? Grips appear to be S&W but for a much later unit. What is the SN range? ENJOY
_____________________________________________________________________
The earlier picture appeared to be missing the rear sight to these old eyes. good to see it is there.

An after thought. Often the old sights are stuck with hardened grease - needs soak and slow work to get them loosened up. Too much torque can snap the screw.

 

[smithfan4152]

41

You have found a very nice package, very complete, and believe me, you will not find a 5 inch sport barrel in that condition for $400.00.
I paid $1000.00 for a 7 3/8 41, 1967 range, like your's and paid another $500.00 for the 5 inch sport barrel. I know that my pistol alone with box etc. will sell much more than I paid for it, the sport barrels in my opinion, you may find used, not mint or perfect $450-$500, mint, $600 +, anything less is an extremely good deal.

 

[Aussie Collector]

That is a very nice pickup.
As already pointed out the separate barrel is the 5" sport barrel.
The brake is a Smith & Wesson factory type correct for that model 41.

 

[sbowenjr]

Sorry guys for some reason this Mac will not let me add pics to the original post. These are the grips I was referring to. In regards to the muzzle break, it is about 1/4 shorter than my other model 41 muzzle break that is much older. I am assuming the older one has the correct muzzle break as I know the history of it. My dad bought it new. The pistol permit for this one shows it was issued in 1972 right here in NC. I was told that it was ordered as a package. I have no way to confirm that though and to be honest I am not sure if a factory letter would tell me that or not. Did S&W change the length of the muzzle break over the years?

 

[sbowenjr]

Here is a pic of the box

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Nice box from picture. Your brake is correct. Aussie can give you the theory of reducing the length of the brakes early on - not sure when but probably below 50,000 range. The smooth grip shown may be one of the GA or rosewood smooth grips that S&W had made for a short time. Not sure that any were shipped as OE, but probably added to the catalog as an option.

Smithfan always overpays - but still makes money on them.

 

[andyo5]

I hope you do not have a muzzle break.
It would be much better to have a muzzle brake.

 

[Aussie Collector]

With regards to the muzzle brake. A quick brief history lesson with what I believe occurred with the muzzle brake from studying the model.

In 1957 the model 41 was introduced with a barrel length of 7-3/8" fitted with a muzzle brake with a length of 1-9/16".
In 1960 the length was shortened to 1-5/16". The shortening was done to ensure the model 41 in .22 short or the model 41-1 qualified for the the competition it was introduced for. From then to the mid 60s model 41s were given either length brake until the longer ones ran out.

So, 1957, 58 and 59 model 41s have the longer brake,
Most 1960 model 41s had the longer brake, few late guns have the shorter one.
Between 61 and around 63 either brake was used.
After 64 most model 41s had the shorter brake as the old stock of the longer brakes were used up.
After 65 all should have the shorter brake.
In 1978 the 7-3/8" barrel was discontinued and the brake with it.

The model 41-1 or model 41 in .22 short has a different story.

 

[sbowenjr]

sbowen - the second bbl shown is the rarer 5" sport bbl ($400 range) and the BRAKE appears to be correct. The 5" bbl could use a rear sight. Is there a 5.5" bbl not seen? Grips appear to be S&W but for a much later unit. What is the SN range? ENJOY

Oh man you got me nervous. I thought did I really buy the gun and not notice weither the extra barrel had the rear sights. I did not have time to look this morning but it was the first thing I did after kissing my wife & daughter when I got home. Thank goodness it was there.

 

[sbowenjr]

I hope you do not have a muzzle break.
It would be much better to have a muzzle brake.

Thanks for the correction. I will try and be more accurate in the future.

 

[sbowenjr]

With regards to the muzzle brake. A quick brief history lesson with what I believe occurred with the muzzle brake from studying the model.

In 1957 the model 41 was introduced with a barrel length of 7-3/8" fitted with a muzzle brake with a length of 1-9/16".
In 1960 the length was shortened to 1-5/16". The shortening was done to ensure the model 41 in .22 short or the model 41-1 qualified for the the competition it was introduced for. From then to the mid 60s model 41s were given either length brake until the longer ones ran out.

So, 1957, 58 and 59 model 41s have the longer brake,
Most 1960 model 41s had the longer brake, few late guns have the shorter one.
Between 61 and around 63 either brake was used.
After 64 most model 41s had the shorter brake as the old stock of the longer brakes were used up.
After 65 all should have the shorter brake.
In 1978 the 7-3/8" barrel was discontinued and the brake with it.

The model 41-1 or model 41 in .22 short has a different story.

Ok sir I am impressed. You know your model 41's. I just measured the muzzle brake and you are dead on accurate. Thanks for the information. Do you think these grips could be factory? I am skeptical as I have never seen model 41 grips that look quite like that.

 

[Barrie]

I also have some Cherrywood grips currently on my M46 which is my backup gun in case my M41 ever gets sick. It never seems to get fired at all any more.

 

[Aussie Collector]

Ok sir I am impressed. You know your model 41's. I just measured the muzzle brake and you are dead on accurate. Thanks for the information. Do you think these grips could be factory? I am skeptical as I have never seen model 41 grips that look quite like that.

Thanks for the praise.

I have seen quite a few pairs of smooth model 41 stocks. Factory smooth model 41 stocks that is and they are not that common, however they can be found.
With your stocks I cannot tell from the pictures to be sure. The pictures need to be a little clearer and one picture showing the inside cuts would also help.
From the pictures the overall thickness looks a little thin, almost like someone sanded off the checkering, I cannot be sure.

 

[DrWok]

Hi All

Gents S&W 41 info was excellent. Love the history behind this pistol
Having just entered into target shooting i ordered a NEW S&W 41 before Christmas (Australia).
ETA, dealer says 8 weeks due to Christmas...

Arrived within 8 days!!!!

It is my first pistol...was so excited to see it i didn't note any numbers or the like when i visited the dealer to throw some cash at him. (Still to pay remainder)

So Chaps question, please excuse my lack of knowledge...What should i be looking for in terms of paperwork that provides manufacture info etc.

Will it have numbers stamped on slide? I have seen some pics with numbers on slide.

Timber grips were dark grained with a gloss finish, although pistol looked somewhat dull. I was expecting more of a sheen on the finish of the barrel and slide. Pistol was in plastic box with a waxy paper with two mags.

Any info please chaps.

 

[Barrie]

I also suspect Aussie is correct in that they are factory grips that someone has done some work on. No way they came from the factory looking like that ever. Most of the 1st series M41's came with a dark stained grip which was wood and fitted for either left or right handed shooters. Personally I would not sell them off as the more parts to go with the gun someday the more value you have with it. Defintely clean the rear sights with some oil or solvent to loosen up the screw on them. Do not lose the small spring under them as well as it may be difficult for you to get a replacement for it.

 

[Gregbenner]

I have a question re the 5" barrels. I have two 41s, one with a 5" optics only barrel. Obviously no iron sights. I "believe" these were offered after the 5" sport barrel was discontinued?? Is the OO barrel the same basic barrel as the sport barrel, only with a rail instead of sights?

In my case, for target shooting, I have found it a bit light in weight, and prefer my Clark 5 1/2" optics barrel.

 

[pinkm1978]

I have a question re the 5" barrels. I have two 41s, one with a 5" optics only barrel. Obviously no iron sights. I "believe" these were offered after the 5" sport barrel was discontinued?? Is the OO barrel the same basic barrel as the sport barrel, only with a rail instead of sights?

In my case, for target shooting, I have found it a bit light in weight, and prefer my Clark 5 1/2" optics barrel.

The OO 5" barrel was offered in the Mid 1990's for a brief period. You are correct, same barrel as classic sport barrel but with the rail. I have never been able to locate how many were produced.