Older 41 identification

[Squirrel]

Hello all,

So I am looking for just a little of info on one of my model 41's. I purchased this almost 15yrs ago, and even though I have the S&W book....it doesnt quite tell me everything I want to know. Specifically, the date and is it a legit field barrel vs a cut. SN is 931xx

 

[s&wchad]

Nice gun! I'm gonna guess it shipped in the late 1960's. That's a legitimate Field barrel.

 

[Bastogne71]

I agree with s&wchad that you have a legitimate S&W factory made 5" field barrel for your model 41. The primary clue is the protruding crown on your muzzle. Some describe this as half doughnut or as a numbed barrel, but I've never seen this level of machining done on an aftermarket cut barrel.

The field barrel was approved by management on 5/8/1959 to be sold as a M41 with a five inch barrel or as an accessory for an existing pistol. The first model 41 with the field barrel was shipped on 9/2/1959. The field barrel was produced with many minor variations until it was discontinued in 1976. It was reintroduced as an accessory only in 1980 but was only available until inventory ran out sometime in the mid 1980's.

A best guess of your serial number would be 1967 or 68. S&W never made any attempt to manufacture, store, or ship their products in any kind of serial number order. The only way to accurately date your pistol is to request a letter from the Smith & Wesson Historical Association. They will give you the date shipped, who it was shipped to, and, most importantly, the barrel length it was shipped with.

More pictures would be nice.

 

[kwill1911]

Welcome to the forum May I suggest squaring the pistol up on a plain background and taking some more pictures?

 

[4T5GUY]

The cut barrels are easy to distinguish, (bad word for "illegitimate" ones," ) by the plugged hole. Mine is convex.

I'm attaching images. Even though it's been explained here before it's easier to understand pictures than words. At least for me.

Jim

 

[chief38]

I could be wrong here, but I don't think S&W actually shipped the M41 with a Sport/Field barrel. I purchased my S/F barrel as an accessory to the pistol and absolutely love it! My original pistol originally came with a 5.5" bull barrel.

While your S/F barrel is genuine, I do believe it was made from a 7" barrel. S&W did cut them down from what I understand - but nothing wrong with that as they are still Factory barrels and done at the Factory.

There is not as much info on these as we would like and I am still learning about them. Too bad they were not an option at the time the pistols were purchased.

 

[Bastogne71]

I could be wrong here, but I don't think S&W actually shipped the M41 with a Sport/Field barrel. I purchased my S/F barrel as an accessory to the pistol and absolutely love it! My original pistol originally came with a 5.5" bull barrel.

While your S/F barrel is genuine, I do believe it was made from a 7" barrel. S&W did cut them down from what I understand - but nothing wrong with that as they are still Factory barrels and done at the Factory.

There is not as much info on these as we would like and I am still learning about them. Too bad they were not an option at the time the pistols were purchased.

S&W shipped the model 41 as a complete pistol or you could order the field barrel as an accessory when the field barrel was introduced in September 1959. See photos.

Squirrel's barrel is most likely is a cut down 7 3/8" done by S&W. It might be the far less common forged and machined 5" barrel ( not cut) but we need better photos to tell.

 

[chief38]

S&W shipped the model 41 as a complete pistol or you could order the field barrel as an accessory when the field barrel was introduced in September 1959. See photos.

Squirrel's barrel is most likely is a cut down 7 3/8" done by S&W. It might be the far less common forged and machined 5" barrel ( not cut) but we need better photos to tell.

Thank you for the information. I do own a Sport - Field barrel but was unaware that they were actually a new gun option at some point. Mine was purchased many years after I bought my M41 new. When I bought mine in 1979 they offered only three barrels. One was the 5 1/2" bull barrel, the second was the 7" thin barrel and the third was the one with the sliding extended front sight.

I an certainly no expert on these other than to say that since I own my M41 and competed with it - I have never shot the pistol better! I have not ever reinstalled the original bull barrel and probably never will.