Model 41 Question

[Model 52]

A small local gun shop has a used model 41 for sale.
The owner is not available until tomorrow, his wife knows nothing about it.

My question, is there and distinguishing design marks, that may have changed over the years, that I could look for to get a approx Date of Birth.

Thanks
Model 52

 

[armorer951]

Best way I know of for determining when the gun was made is to use the serial number designation on the gun frame.

Members here can provide approx DOB info....or you could call S&W Customer Service with the number. 1-800-331-0852

Series numbers started in 1954 with 1001 to 115,000 in 1970. "A " prefix serial numbers started (1970) with A115001....

 

[FifthWheel]

No cocking indicator would put it at post 1978 I think.

 

[Barrie]

The 1st guns were not shipped from the factory until around the early part of 1958. Most of those came with a 7and 3/8" barrel with a Muzzle brake on them and a firing pin indicator. Get us the serial no and we can figure it out when it was shipped from the factory.

 

[Model 52]

Thank you for the info. I am going to look at the Mod 41 tomorrow, 'IF' I buy it, I will have the serial number and then can call smith and get the exact DOB.

Many Thanks
Model 52

 

[leinster lad]

I wouldn't get too hung up on its DOB. Really, so what if it is a 1966 or a 1973 manufacture ?
What you SHOULD be looking for is the "fit and finish".Make sure that the blueing is nice and even and not worn off.
Make sure the grips are original(?) and in good nik.
Make sure it all looks nice and clean and with minimal wear.
Field strip it on the gun shop bench. Super easy to do and then have a good look at the barrel, slide, frame etc.
Just be looking out for wear and finish.

THEN, and here is the crux, get an assurance from the gun shop owner that he will give full refund etc. if you are not happy with it.. OR.. test it out at a range before committing to buy.

Put a box of CCI SV ( 40 grn lead ) thru it and see how she shoots.
More than 1 or 2 feed or ejection failures and I would negotiate on the asking price.

Having said that, these are very simple machines and very easy to rectify any issues if you are prepared to work thru them ( or know a really good gun smith )

I'd say, all in all, and on balance, if it is in really nice condition, I would get it. The odd eject issue etc is an easy fix.

 

[Barrie]

I will also add that there times but rare times that even the CCI-SV will have a problem in itself as well. Parts are very easy to get also and are fairly priced as well.

 

[leinster lad]

Range report, today.

Shot 472/480 in a "Mandar" comp today.

48 rounds of CCI SV.

100% problem free........ and no key-holing !!!

Love this gun

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Thank you for the info. I am going to look at the Mod 41 tomorrow, 'IF' I buy it, I will have the serial number and then can call smith and get the exact DOB.

Many Thanks
Model 52

The only way to get an exact ship date is to obtain a history letter from the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation. If your ok with a guess there will be plenty of those once you post the serial number. Then they can be off by years.

 

[Model 52]

I looked at the 41 this morning. The serial number is 150XX (dont remember the last two digits) so it appears to be a 1959. It has the loaded chamber indicator. The gun looks like the entire Chinese Army used it for training. The grips have many chips and scratches and the checkering is worn smooth in a few places. The Blue Finish is seriously worn off overall the gun. In my opinion the barrel has been cut to what I measured 5.375" and crudely finished off. The cut shows hack saw marks, barrel is not crowned, no bluing on the cut off. The Owner of the shop wants $1400. I was out the door, when I got home I kissed my Ruger MK3-512TG with Optical Sight. It will continue to serve me well until a proper 41 is located.

Model 52

 

[Gregbenner]

Range report, today.

Shot 472/480 in a "Mandar" comp today.

48 rounds of CCI SV.

100% problem free........ and no key-holing !!!

Love this gun

LL, nice shooting. Not familiar with a "Mandar" comp? 25 yards? One or two hands? What rate of fire?

 

[FifthWheel]

I looked at the 41 this morning. The serial number is 150XX (dont remember the last two digits) so it appears to be a 1959. It has the loaded chamber indicator. The gun looks like the entire Chinese Army used it for training. The grips have many chips and scratches and the checkering is worn smooth in a few places. The Blue Finish is seriously worn off overall the gun. In my opinion the barrel has been cut to what I measured 5.375" and crudely finished off. The cut shows hack saw marks, barrel is not crowned, no bluing on the cut off. The Owner of the shop wants $1400. I was out the door, when I got home I kissed my Ruger MK3-512TG with Optical Sight. It will continue to serve me well until a proper 41 is located.

Model 52

Smart move.

 

[Gregbenner]

I looked at the 41 this morning. The serial number is 150XX (dont remember the last two digits) so it appears to be a 1959. It has the loaded chamber indicator. The gun looks like the entire Chinese Army used it for training. The grips have many chips and scratches and the checkering is worn smooth in a few places. The Blue Finish is seriously worn off overall the gun. In my opinion the barrel has been cut to what I measured 5.375" and crudely finished off. The cut shows hack saw marks, barrel is not crowned, no bluing on the cut off. The Owner of the shop wants $1400. I was out the door, when I got home I kissed my Ruger MK3-512TG with Optical Sight. It will continue to serve me well until a proper 41 is located.

Model 52

Just FYI, last month I purchased an excellent lcondition like new 41 with both the 7 3/8 barrel and a Clark 51/2 optics barrel, including 5 magazines and three sets of grips for $1100.

$1400 seems high even in good condition? Are the older models more valuable?

 

[irishbob]

Stay away. That's too much money for a beat up and hacked up pistol. There's a LGS by my house that has several High Standards and I think they just dreamt up prices for them, they ask $700 for a $300 gun and such. This guy is probably asking same. It seems like used 41's in good shape can be had for $900-1200 typically. Or spend the money and get a new one too.

 

[Barrie]

From the sound of it and the condition you describe the gun is worth around $400.- $500. max. Sounds like a gun that I would not buy for free and only use it for parts only. Definitely keep looking as the right one will show up shortly. Leinster Lad I am very Happy to hear that your New Gun is finally behaving the way it is supposed to for you. I also personally feel that the 1st year produced guns are worth more then the newer ones just by their age alone let alone the extra features on them. Even the finishing material on them is a higher quality as well.

 

[leinster lad]

LL, nice shooting. Not familiar with a "Mandar" comp? 25 yards? One or two hands? What rate of fire?

2 handed free standing.
timed turning targets
2 magazines, 6 shots in each;

6 shots in 30 seconds from 25 meters

12 shots in 30 seconds from 25 meters ( includes a reload )

1 shot in 2 seconds, 12 times, with a reload. from 15 meters

2 shots in 2 seconds, 6 times, with a reload, from 10 meters

6 shots in 4 seconds.........and we are done !

patch and score between each "panel"


for some reason the "12 shots on 30 seconds" is the one that throws me. I dropped 5 points on that panel alone.
No idea why ??? as there is plenty of time to "get in the groove"

The "double tap" and "rapid fire" panels are easy and I normall have no trouble with them.

The single shot every 2 seconds can give me trouble, depending on the light. Sometimes I just cannot locate the red dot, so if i don't panic, i'll get off a double tap on the next target turn.

All good fun, and having a gun that is 100% reliable is the key to doing well in these timed events.

 

[Tom S.]

I looked at the 41 this morning. The serial number is 150XX (dont remember the last two digits) so it appears to be a 1959. It has the loaded chamber indicator. The gun looks like the entire Chinese Army used it for training. The grips have many chips and scratches and the checkering is worn smooth in a few places. The Blue Finish is seriously worn off overall the gun. In my opinion the barrel has been cut to what I measured 5.375" and crudely finished off. The cut shows hack saw marks, barrel is not crowned, no bluing on the cut off. The Owner of the shop wants $1400. I was out the door, when I got home I kissed my Ruger MK3-512TG with Optical Sight. It will continue to serve me well until a proper 41 is located.

Model 52

I predict that dealer will have that gun for a very long time.

Maybe you should steer him to this website for enlightenment.

 

[gwpercle]

$1,400 in that condition , the dealer must be real fond of it !