Picked up a nice, ANIB Model 42 Centennial

[Steave]

Although I have five or six J-frames, they are far from my favorite Smith other than a 642, which is great to throw in a front pocket. However, I was working a deal on a few guns with a guy who said he had a Smith airweight, so we worked that into the deal. What a neat little gun, this one is 1974 mfg., in the box with all paperwork, cleaning rod, etc and if its been fired, its been fired damn little. My first centennial, but I dig it!

 

[Steave]

Although I have five or six J-frames, they are far from my favorite Smith other than a 642, which is great to throw in a front pocket. However, I was working a deal on a few guns with a guy who said he had a Smith airweight, so we worked that into the deal. What a neat little gun, this one is 1974 mfg., in the box with all paperwork, cleaning rod, etc and if its been fired, its been fired damn little. My first centennial, but I dig it!

 

[Cartouche]

Nice. Pretty cool when a little cherry falls your way. Looks like a keeper.

 

[MaineProbation]

While I am not usually a fan of Airweights, that piece you acquired is a keeper and a classic. Just in case you intend to carry it and are not aware, that grip safety can be deactivated. There is a hole bored in the frame that accepts the upper retaining ring for the grip safety lever. The lever can be depressed and retained in the "fire" position by moving the upper retaining pin into that hole.

 

[MaineProbation]

The Models 40 and 42 never sold anywhere near as well as the Models 36, 37, 38, and 49, so the factory dropped them in the 1970's. Everybody seemed to want a Model 60 stainless Chief back then. Within a few the years the old Centennials came into demand. Then S&W wised up and came up with the stainless 640 and the rest is history.

 

[Steave]

I won't carry it, hell, I doubt I'll even shoot it, I believe it's NIB and will leave it that way. I've got a 642 that I worked the action on, it's the slickest J-frame I felt, so no reason to switch.

Anyone know the current market on these? I checked some of the various classifieds, but didn't see any for sale or any that had sold recently. I'm not going to sell it, but am curious.

 

[niklas]

Wow, nice score!!!!! I've been looking for one of theese for quite some time now, they don't seem to excist in Sweden, never seen one, one day.....

 

[photoman]

Very nice! Just a wild guess as I'm not familiar with the older J's, but I'd say somewhere in the $450 to $500 range on price since it's in such good shape with the box etc.

 

[DC7]

Originally posted by Steave:
Anyone know the current market on these?

Earlier this year I sold a NIB Model 42 for somewhere in the high $600's, including shipping. It was one of the later models with the L-prefix serial number, built in the 1970's.

 

[Steave]

Thanks, guys, I appreciate the info!