model 49 question

[luis]

I need help. On the way home tonight I got a call from my local gun store. They have me on speed dial. They told me that had just got some used S&W in. I went to the store and looked at the "new" stuff. I picked up 2 95% S&W 49s.

That was not the problem. The owner told me that earlier that day (I had been in a meeting) put on layaway the 3rd of the 49. He pulled it out from the back for me.

It is a 49 square butt. What suprised me is that it has a 3 inch barrel. I cannot find my Smith book. Was this a catalog item or special order?

All the guns 22 in total came from an estate. The estate manger set the price. I paid a total of $400 for both of the 49s.

My dealer told me that this guy puts lost of guns on layaway and then changes his mind. He lets him because he almost buys as many as I do. I hope that changes his mind. Gun was listed at $300

Luis

 

[luis]

I need help. On the way home tonight I got a call from my local gun store. They have me on speed dial. They told me that had just got some used S&W in. I went to the store and looked at the "new" stuff. I picked up 2 95% S&W 49s.

That was not the problem. The owner told me that earlier that day (I had been in a meeting) put on layaway the 3rd of the 49. He pulled it out from the back for me.

It is a 49 square butt. What suprised me is that it has a 3 inch barrel. I cannot find my Smith book. Was this a catalog item or special order?

All the guns 22 in total came from an estate. The estate manger set the price. I paid a total of $400 for both of the 49s.

My dealer told me that this guy puts lost of guns on layaway and then changes his mind. He lets him because he almost buys as many as I do. I hope that changes his mind. Gun was listed at $300

Luis

 

[dsf]

It would probably have to be verified by serial number and I'm doing this just from memory, having read info on this website, but I think a 3" 49 is quite unusual and worth a few grand if authentic.

Somone should be along shortly to correct me & tell me I'm all wrong, or you may get a few requests for your private e-mail address.

Regarding the grip frame profile, I believe the 3" version was the same as the 2" version & would be reffered to as a round butt, being issued with small service stocks.

 

[toroflow1]

Yep, I've never heard of a square butt 49, but that's not to say that one was never produced! Who knows with S&W!! As for the 3" barrel, if its original (and not a model 36 change-out) then it is rare.

 

[snubchump]

I have seen 3-inch Model 49s a few times before, very rare! Can't recall if they were square butt though. If you get the chance, buy it. Definitely worth a lot more than the price stated!

 

[Randy]

I've never heard of a 3" SB Model 49. I do own a 3" round butt 49. I had this one lettered and it shipped in 1960.

Randy

 

[MaineProbation]

Since frames are finish machined from a forging, the factory must have produced a forging die with the Bodyguard "hump" as well as a square grip frame. This would be an expensive proposition for only a few pieces. It could have been made as a prototype in the hope the factory might get a substantial order for a particular agency. When I lived in western Massachusetts in the 1960's and 1970's and had connections at the factory, I saw a number of S&W variations which officially did not exist. Most of them were destroyed. After the death of Carl Hellstrom in the early 1960's, sometimes the factory would sell off small runs of prototypes to particular distributors (J&G Rifle Ranch, Lew Horton, etc.) to recoup their losses in not getting the order. The NYSP Model 520 is an example on a larger scale.

 

[Litlman]

Randy, that one still looks brand new . Kind of how it looked in the display case . I should have grabbed that one. Or one of the others that day. My loss. Nice pics as always.

 

[luis]

Thanks for the information. I hope that I get to buy it. It will be interesting to find out why it was made. The only thing I could think that it was made for some government division. Last year I saw on Gun Broker a lettered 36 with landyard loop that had been a gov. contract. I keep you informed. Luis

 

[BUFF]

I hope it isn't just a standard Bodyguard with square butt stocks on a round butt grip.