Number A631324 shipped in February 1981. It's likely yours was shipped a little later in 1981
Model 41 - serial numbers and dates
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Number A631324 shipped in February 1981. It's likely yours was shipped a little later in 1981
SCoS&W4thED. it may be 1985 or 1986
Jim Watson
Member
How strange. Mine is out of the early 1970s and I haven't fired it since this time last week.
Not really strange as there was much more to the story and I wasn't going to shoot it until my investigation was complete. That being said I do indeed plan on shooting it now.
I bought this from an estate consignment. The magazines, Olympic weights, and tools were unopened. The original owners manual untouched was for the .22 short model. Also had the aluminum top similar to the .22 short model with the barrel marked .22LR. I verified a magazine and chamber that it was indeed .22LR and not short like the 41-1 made for the IRF competition. This all mystified me somewhat because it was more or less setup and with accessories like the 41-1 with owners manual also stating that. So I requested a letter which showed nothing special or unicorn like other than the $64 selling price lol. So as Paul Harvey would say "and now you know the rest of the story".
I bought this from an estate consignment. The magazines, Olympic weights, and tools were unopened. The original owners manual untouched was for the .22 short model. Also had the aluminum top similar to the .22 short model with the barrel marked .22LR. I verified a magazine and chamber that it was indeed .22LR and not short like the 41-1 made for the IRF competition. This all mystified me somewhat because it was more or less setup and with accessories like the 41-1 with owners manual also stating that. So I requested a letter which showed nothing special or unicorn like other than the $64 selling price lol. So as Paul Harvey would say "and now you know the rest of the story".
Attachments
Sorry for bringing up this thread again - I'd appreciate any input on the production year of the attached shown Model 41 in .22 lr with serial 21723 - would this make it a 1959 one?
The other one is a Model 41-1 in .22 short with serial A135129, therefore not sure if the already showed chart would also apply for it too, or if it is only for Model 41? If yes, would it rather be a 1970 or a 1971 made?
Thanks!
The other one is a Model 41-1 in .22 short with serial A135129, therefore not sure if the already showed chart would also apply for it too, or if it is only for Model 41? If yes, would it rather be a 1970 or a 1971 made?
Thanks!
Attachments
kwill1911
Member
Promo, that's quite an entrance. Welcome to the forum. Can you tell us more about the silencer on the Model 41?
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kwill1911
Member
Very cool. I'd love to see some close-ups of the silencer and the proof marks. These guns shipped out of sequence but I think this one probably shipped in the early 1960s.
Smith & Wesson did not produce or ship products in serial number order. As a pistol moved through the manufacturing process, at each station no attention was made to which serial number was being worked on, just pick up another frame and do your job. It was the same in shipping. Pull the require pistols to fill the order and only when the invoice was made out were the serial numbers recorded. For example, the invoice that includes my M41 has ten pistols from #12112 to #18968 all shipped on the same day.
The "table" in other posts is only a list of partial serial numbers and the year that particular individual pistol was shipped. It is not a list of starting and ending serial numbers for a year. It was dropped in the 3rd edition of the Standard Catalog of S&W probably because it was too confusing.
I know of a M41 with a higher number than yours that dates to September 1959 and a lower number that dates to April 1962. My best guess is that #21723 shipped from S&W in mid 1961.
Sorry for the long and inconclusive answer but you will have to shell out $100 for a historical letter if you want an accurate answer.
Oh! Welcome to the forum. Hang around and i think you'll enjoy it here.
The "table" in other posts is only a list of partial serial numbers and the year that particular individual pistol was shipped. It is not a list of starting and ending serial numbers for a year. It was dropped in the 3rd edition of the Standard Catalog of S&W probably because it was too confusing.
I know of a M41 with a higher number than yours that dates to September 1959 and a lower number that dates to April 1962. My best guess is that #21723 shipped from S&W in mid 1961.
Sorry for the long and inconclusive answer but you will have to shell out $100 for a historical letter if you want an accurate answer.
Oh! Welcome to the forum. Hang around and i think you'll enjoy it here.
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Aussie Collector
Member
Very nice. Shipped should be around 1971. Notice the box, it's still the pre Bangor Punta box type.
Some may say it's incorrect for a 1971 41, however S&W were still using these boxes on the 41 into the early 70s.
I have asked before about this list and never got an answer; Are those supposed to be the beginning or ending numbers for each year. I suppose they could even be random S/N's from each year. My guess is that they are supposed to be ending numbers as My A194xxx is from August of 1973
Yes, this list is a random selection of model 41's with a partial serial number and the year that pistol was shipped. I consider this to be confusing and misleading. It was dropped from the 3rd edition of The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.
As a member if the SWCA, PM first-model and ask him for assistance in gaining access to the databases. He was very helpful to me at the last Symposium in Phoenix.
rck281
Member
I used to own A40518 which was a NIB Model 41-1 22 Short. It had the original box and the 22 Short Instruction Sheet. However, it lettered as a 22 Long Rifle. Roy said it was a double numbered gun and was just recorded as a 22 LR. Who knows?
Highmaster
Member
For the record my serial # 3065 was made the first year (1957) but shipped in Feb 1958 . I wonder if any were shipped the first year ?
Aussie Collector
Member
I believe these are random numbers put together as a guide. A reasonable guide too.
Guns were not shipped in order, far from it so a start and stop number for each year is impossible.
Highmaster
Member
About serial numbers has anyone here ever observed a Model 41 with the serial number on the RIGHT SIDE ?
kwill1911
Member
Have you? Picture?
S&W model 41 Lew Horton Special Edition 22LR
Looking for any information on the above Lew Horton Special. Documents reflect Smith sent less than 10 Performance Center M41's to Horton in July 1998 to create LH Special Edition. Lew Horton says they received 12. Horton engraved in script Performance Center Classic Series in gold on the right side of the frame.The guns have other upgrades also. I have the documents from Smith and Horton in support of the above information. Performance Center Product Code 170108 10 Mfg.
Looking for any information on the above Lew Horton Special. Documents reflect Smith sent less than 10 Performance Center M41's to Horton in July 1998 to create LH Special Edition. Lew Horton says they received 12. Horton engraved in script Performance Center Classic Series in gold on the right side of the frame.The guns have other upgrades also. I have the documents from Smith and Horton in support of the above information. Performance Center Product Code 170108 10 Mfg.
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Aussie Collector
Member
Yes you are correct. These are briefly mentioned in the standard catalogue in the PC section. Do you have information to add. Please do
Aussie, I am still searching for documentation but is hard to come by. I suspect the remainder of these guns are in collections and will only surface when the owner is deceased. I think I mentioned the only other one I located was in Seattle.
SWFan27
Member
My dad just gave me a mint Model 41 from 1972 with the original box and paperwork. It is the long (7 3/8?) barrel model and has the compensator, but it also has some additional/alternate weights and end piece if I want to remove the compensator.
And he also gave me a 5.5 inch barrel for it that he bought a long time ago. My dad is the original owner. I was not expecting this huge blessing. It was a surprise early birthday present. I will have to take pictures and post them. I will try to do it tomorrow or this week. I shot it at his range yesterday and may go to my range tomorrow. I shot it using both barrel lengths. I think he bought the short barrel for it at a gun show a million years ago. This is my first vintage Smith & Wesson. I am very grateful and excited to own it.
And he also gave me a 5.5 inch barrel for it that he bought a long time ago. My dad is the original owner. I was not expecting this huge blessing. It was a surprise early birthday present. I will have to take pictures and post them. I will try to do it tomorrow or this week. I shot it at his range yesterday and may go to my range tomorrow. I shot it using both barrel lengths. I think he bought the short barrel for it at a gun show a million years ago. This is my first vintage Smith & Wesson. I am very grateful and excited to own it.
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Just purchased a used Model 41 from a retailer waiting for 3 day jail to pickup. It came with 5in field barrel plus 7 3/8 barrel and 3 mags unfortunately no box. Serial number 409xx I believe might put it approx 1962-63 ???? not sure It is in pretty good condition although I am sure I overpaid it was local to me.
Same boat, except the 41 i got is in not so great condition. Based on other forum posts, my 418xx serial number seems to be mid or early 1960s
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So mine has a serial number of 12500. That would make it a1958 correct?
