Model 41 tool room gun

[jengelguns]

I just had a customer walk through the door with a Smith model 41 that I had a hard time finding information out on. The serial number is T1025. At first, the serial number wasn't making sense.... until I went home and retrieved the Smith and Wesson bible. It shows that known serial number range for tool room guns is T1001 through T1011. I cannot find a year made for this gun, other than it has a 5.5" barrel and cocking indicator which places it made after 1963. This is fairly far outside of the known serial number range. The gentleman that brought it in said that it was his wife's father's gun. I told him that approximate value for insurance purposes was in the neighborhood of $3000. The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson shows 3x premium for tool room guns. Any further help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[jengelguns]

Hopefully this will work, I have attached the obligatory pictures.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Has all the signs of an early tool room piece (although I have never actually seen one). No finger cuts and no Model 41 on left (or right) side. The 5.5" bbl is an early one but could have been added sometime later. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Tom S.]

Frame look bonafide, but the barrel does not,especially considering the difference in color.

 

[snipe4fun]

I suppose a tool room is a room that is used to store tools, but what is the purpose of a tool room gun?

 

[cgt4570]

I suppose a tool room is a room that is used to store tools, but what is the purpose of a tool room gun?

It's a prototype built in the tool room (machine shop) versus the production line.

 

[Barrie]

Thats a really nice M41 to own. The value will go up a lot in years to come on that gun. Great find for sure.

 

[jengelguns]

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[kidcom]

I agree with Barrie a very nice find jengelguns. Definitely a keeper.

 

[Cyrano]

Obviously a factory letter is in order.

 

[CA Escapee]

I suppose a tool room is a room that is used to store tools, but what is the purpose of a tool room gun?

In case someone in the tool room is out of line and needs to be shot or pistol whipped? Just a guess.

Bill

 

[pmanton]

I wonder how a tool room gun would wind up in private hands.

 

[Barrie]

I have seen a Black Powder rifle from Thompson Center Fire For Sale at a gunshop add which had a stainless barrel and special sights on it from the factory. It was a employee build which was never issued to the public for sale in any calibre. Special guns like these do get out on occasion but are extremely rare issues of a certain model. I suspect tool rooms guns to be NO different as some do end up in private hands