Model 41 Question

[Bob512]

I was playing cards over my neighbors house and we got on the subject of pistols ( he is an avid shooter ) and mentioned he picked up a model 41 target pistol that was in great condition, but the shop he bought it from didn’t know anything about the age of the gun or it’s history. The serial number seemed a bit older to me, so I thought I might post a picture of it here and see if anyone has info on the age or anything else about it

Thanks in advance

Bob

 

[Baxter6551]

Check this thread and search for others using search tab.

Serial # help for Model 41 & 46

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

My Model 41 has a serial number 120K larger than yours (719XXX) and it dates to 1981 as far as I can tell. Given that, and if my figure is correct: Yours must have been made in 1980 or 1981.

 

[Bastogne71]

Shipping Dates

Smith & Wesson paid no attention to serial numbers when their frames were pulled for assembly nor were pistols pulled for shipment with any attention to serial number. The serial numbers were recorded on the sales invoice when they were shipped so the shipping date is the only way to date a Smith & Wesson product. There are examples of close serial numbers being shipped months or even years apart.

A597190 was shipped in June 1980
A599617 was shipped in May 1980

It’s most likely yours was shipped sometime in this period. But note that these two were not shipped out in number order. Confused? Welcome to Smith & Wesson collecting.

 

[Bob512]

My Model 41 has a serial number 120K larger than yours (719XXX) and it dates to 1981 as far as I can tell. Given that, and if my figure is correct: Yours must have been made in 1980 or 1981.

Very helpful…..thanks so much!

 

[Bob512]

Smith & Wesson paid no attention to serial numbers when their frames were pulled for assembly nor were pistols pulled for shipment with any attention to serial number. The serial numbers were recorded on the sales invoice when they were shipped so the shipping date is the only way to date a Smith & Wesson product. There are examples of close serial numbers being shipped months or even years apart.

A597190 was shipped in June 1980
A599617 was shipped in May 1980

It’s most likely yours was shipped sometime in this period. But note that these two were not shipped out in number order. Confused? Welcome to Smith & Wesson collecting.

Always learning something new on this site…..thanks so much!

 

[Bob512]

Check this thread and search for others using search tab.

Serial # help for Model 41 & 46

Lots of great info in that thread……thanks for sharing!