Model 41 serial #

[Highmaster]

Is there a accurate serial number list with years delivered available for the Model 41 ?
Jinks says the first produced was serial #1401 in 1957.
The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson (4th edition ) list first produced was serial # 3001 in 1957.
What gives ?

 

[kwill1911]

There has been some confusion about the starting SNs of the Model 41 over the years but I think it was settled at least 6-7 years ago that the numbers started at 3001 and the first one shipped was 3193 on Sep 17, 1957. Letters have reflected the 3001 number for several years. If you do a search on this forum you can find some SN lists.

 

[Bastogne71]

If I may quote the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, Vol IV, page 486:

“It is vitally important to realize that it is impossible to identify the production year of any given single gun using these tables. Smith & Wesson revolvers [firearms] were not necessarily assembled nor shipped in serial number sequence.”

For example a couple of odd pairs:
11458. April 62
11460. September 58

A486834. May 78
A486852. June 76

14452. December 59 Both were shipped on the same day on the
17870. December 59 same invoice.

Most model 41’s were sorta kinda shipped in somewhat serial number order. We can take a best guess by serial number but it is an informed guess.