Model 41 box

[gsp9]

We recently purchased a model 41. We were wondering if anyone knew when they started having cutouts in the box for the magazine.
I read when they started putting 2 cutouts in the box, but haven't found anything about no cut outs.
Also, the date on inside of box is April 1955, which I have seen on newer models, so assume it is "generic" lid for the box?
Have not found anything in our S&W book about either of these.

Thanks

 

[Bastogne71]

Smith & Wesson started shipping the model 41 with two magazines in 1962. The date inside the box is when they started offering the lifetime warranty for all their products and has nothing to do with the shipping date.

If you are willing to post the serial number, we can give you an estimated date it left the factory. More photos would be helpful also.

 

[chief38]

AFAIK S&W did not offer the lifetime warranty until February 1, 1989. I also believe that the date of 1955 inside the lid has nothing to do with the warranty issue but is the date the verbiage was updated and printed in the box lid - as in many many S&W products.

As far as the magazine cut outs are concerned, that I do not know. My 1979 produced M41 came with a foam insert in the box and there are two cut outs for magazines. The gun did come with two 10 round magazines with metal followers.

 

[Sevens]

Unless I am mistaken, there were only three models that made use of this (otherwise) odd-sized S&W box. The 41, the 52 and the Model 53 revolver. I am not sure if the Model 46 was in these boxes also, it would seem to make good sense that they were.

My 1979 produced M41 came with a foam insert in the box and there are two cut outs for magazines.

It's absolutely been my experience in many years of lookin' and chasin' that the foam insert box you speak of here is the scarcest of all the different inserts they used. I had a Model 52-2 dating to 1980 that also had the foam insert for it's box.

I haven't nailed down an exact range of years for the foam insert, but it's definitely the one they used the least.