My Model 41 on-line auction gamble

[Himhawkeye]

I found a small mid-west auction that was selling off an estate collection. Most of the items were quality rifles that appeared to be in nice condition. Among the rifles was a Model 41 showing only one picture of it laying on the paper in a fold-open cardboard box that seemed to be in good shape. The auction was underway so I couldn't call in for more info.

BIG GAMBLE! Hoping that if the deceased owner took good care of his rifles, he may have done the same with his Model 41, I decided to bid. One other on-line bidder dropped out early leaving me to bid against a floor bidder (or a shill). When the bidding got over $700.00, I placed one more bid and decided to quit. After sitting in silence for what seemed like ten minutes, no other bid came in and the hammer came down.

You can imagine my excitement and fear waiting for this purchase to arrive at my dealer. After considerable hand wringing and regretting, it finally appeared. Turned out it looks like it may not have ever been fired. The grips are perfect and no scratches or blemishes on the metal. The wood is my preferred oiled dark walnut (I don't care for the shiny clear coat look) with beautiful graining that doesn't show up in the pictures but glows in bright light.

I know I could have really been burned buying on-line with one picture of one side but for some reason, I had a good feeling on this. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. I'm including a few quick phone pictures of it as received. Can't wait to get to the range.

P.S. Can someone help with the year for a UBB serial number?

 

[Baxter6551]

What a great grab. That gamble sure paid off. I love the grips too. Beautiful gun. I bought mine from an estate but was lucky enough to be the one assisting in disposing of the collection so I got to examine it properly. Great condition with box and 2 magazines. I have since added 3 more magazines. A great shooter. No model 41 issues like I have read about here - none ! I count myself very fortunate. Ser A5922xx
The model 18 came from another estate I helped with.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Somewhere between 2003 and 2009, the SCSW doesn't have a good enough collection of reported SN's. VJJ is 2003, UFC is 2009, but then, UCF is 2014. Very nice looking pistol; I agree, I like those stocks much better than the varnished look, which seems more common on the newer models. Ones like you have seem more common on much older ones.

Clean it well and use ammo around 1250 fps or better, let us hear how it runs. I have a 7" version from 1985, love to shoot it.

 

[rjm6120]

Wow! You sure have a lot more guts than I do. Great gamble and great score! Congrats.

 

[Larks]

Nice buy, congratulations.

 

[cmj8591]

Now you have to find a local bullseye league to join.

 

[Baxter6551]

Reading hair triggers post above makes me wonder about my stocks, but all the 41s I have seen have my lighter style. I’ve don’t recall seeing a dark set like on Himhawkee’s gun above - but maybe I was not paying attention. As others have said I always learn new thing here.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Congrats on your purchase. I found my older M41 at a local moving sale. Came with the case and several mags. Bought 4 more mags. I recently added a Burris Fastfire and a set of 1911 style grips and am using it at a monthly 2 gun .22 zsa shoot. A mix of big steel, 4x4 in knockdowns and ipsc targets. Not a safe queen any longer. The second photo is of the 1911 grips I bought on the sellers long barreled M41. I like them and I’m not banging up the nice original grips. The third is my thigh holster that I use.

 

[Rick H.]

Indeed a gamble when you don't get to see the firearm in person, but at $700.00 not too risky. I would probably get a new recoil spring for it and put the original away. Run CCI SV thru it and see how it does. Might even opt for a recoil buffer. My gut tells me this should be a fun pistol to shoot.

Rick H.

 

[Himhawkeye]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to have to check around to see what is available in competition shooting. Good point in using other stocks to preserve the originals. It won't be a safe queen but I like to keep everything as nice as possible. I've been checking here and other sites but I can't seem to pin down a good date for a UBB number.

 

[smithra_66]

I found a small mid-west auction that was selling off an estate collection. Most of the items were quality rifles that appeared to be in nice condition. Among the rifles was a Model 41 showing only one picture of it laying on the paper in a fold-open cardboard box that seemed to be in good shape. The auction was underway so I couldn't call in for more info.

BIG GAMBLE! Hoping that if the deceased owner took good care of his rifles, he may have done the same with his Model 41, I decided to bid. One other on-line bidder dropped out early leaving me to bid against a floor bidder (or a shill). When the bidding got over $700.00, I placed one more bid and decided to quit. After sitting in silence for what seemed like ten minutes, no other bid came in and the hammer came down.

You can imagine my excitement and fear waiting for this purchase to arrive at my dealer. After considerable hand wringing and regretting, it finally appeared. Turned out it looks like it may not have ever been fired. The grips are perfect and no scratches or blemishes on the metal. The wood is my preferred oiled dark walnut (I don't care for the shiny clear coat look) with beautiful graining that doesn't show up in the pictures but glows in bright light.

I know I could have really been burned buying on-line with one picture of one side but for some reason, I had a good feeling on this. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. I'm including a few quick phone pictures of it as received. Can't wait to get to the range.

P.S. Can someone help with the year for a UBB serial number?

Nice! To me this is the best way to buy nowadays. I'm batting about 98% on online auction purchases over the past 5 or so years...and that is about 30 different firearms and accessories.

 

[PeteC]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to have to check around to see what is available in competition shooting. Good point in using other stocks to preserve the originals. It won't be a safe queen but I like to keep everything as nice as possible. I've been checking here and other sites but I can't seem to pin down a good date for a UBB number.

UBA is listed as 1994, page 492 of the SCSW 4th edition. The prefixes are not necessarily in order, but likely not far apart either, so UBB is likely mid 1990's. S&W may give you the year if you call them and ask nicely, they did that for me once or twice when I called to ask if a gun was eligible for service.

 

[Sevens]

re: OP's 41 with UBB serial prefix... that looks from the profile view to be a Millett rear sight. I've seen assorted different rear sights on 41's but I've never seen a Millett rear sight. I don't believe that is the original sight.

 

[AveragEd]

I thought the same thing when comparing it to my Model 41's sight but since mine is a 2022 production gun, I just figured the older gun's sight is what was used back then.

Ed

 

[Troystat]

Nice find, I really enjoy shooting mine.

 

[sceva]

re: OP's 41 with UBB serial prefix... that looks from the profile view to be a Millett rear sight. I've seen assorted different rear sights on 41's but I've never seen a Millett rear sight. I don't believe that is the original sight.

I am sure it is original.
S&W used Millets on the Mod 41 for a short period after they stopped using the Mod 52 sight and before going to the Keng style. S&W also used their revolver sight on Mod 41's for a short while in the late 1990's.

 

[Dave from Pa]

Congratulations, nice buy! Sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you. This time you came out the winner.

 

[Exaviator]

" Most of the items were quality rifles that appeared to be in nice condition. BIG GAMBLE! Hoping that if the deceased owner took good care of his rifles, he may have done the same with his Model 41."


Not so much a gamble, but a shrewd and analytical assessment. Well done, and as the motto of the British SAS reminds us, "He Who Dares, Wins"

 

[Himhawkeye]

Just a final follow up. Been to the range twice and happy to say no issues whatsoever. Great piece of craftmanship.

 

[Ruger 13]

What a great grab. That gamble sure paid off. I love the grips too. Beautiful gun. I bought mine from an estate but was lucky enough to be the one assisting in disposing of the collection so I got to examine it properly. Great condition with box and 2 magazines. I have since added 3 more magazines. A great shooter. No model 41 issues like I have read about here - none ! I count myself very fortunate. Ser A5922xx
The model 18 came from another estate I helped with.

I really like the grips on the revolver!