Questions about a Model 46

[s3dcor]

Bought two model 46 today, it was a package deal $1200 for the first one and $600 for the second. Seller said he knew nothing about them and I don't either.

The first one is about as nice and you can find these days. No marks of any kind. Looks correct at least like the book and has the weight and two original mags. Box had a couple of breaks but still nice.

The second one is my concern, after looking it over this afternoon I now think that I have an x military frame with a model 41 slide, 6" barrel and grips. The sn is 48879. Came with 1 mag and a beat up empty box. The reason I think it is x military is that the front grip has been ground off I think to remove some markings. It looks ok, has a few speckles in the finish but likely will shoot just fine.

Is it worth what I paid? I think the seller knew and was just happy to find a sucker.

The barrel is 6" and has the removeable internal weights and the line for the external weight, what year was that made?

Look forward to your comments.

 

[Bastogne71]

Very nice score! I haven’t seen a model 46 in years much less two at a time!

First a little background. The model 46 was introduced in 1959 as a lower cost alternative to the model 41. To lower the cost, the cocking indicator and the muzzle break were eliminated. The bright blue finish was down graded to a standard blue. The front of the grip frame, the safety selector, slide release, and the magazine release were smooth, not grooved or checkered. The grips were plastic instead of walnut. It was originally released with a 7” barrel, later a 5” light barrel, and lastly a 5 1/2” heavy barrel. It did not sell well and it was discontinued in 1965 with total production of about 4,000 units.

The one in the box looks correct but better pictures showing more detail would help confirm that. It appears that the slide has the early right angle cut at the breach end where the slide contacts the barrel. This creates a stress point that can crack and was later was given a radius to prevent this. I would only use standard velocity ammunition in this pistol.

The second one. More questions than answers. We really need more detailed pictures. The grips are early satin finish walnut, the trigger guard is the oversized version not the standard one, there appears the gap between the barrel and slide is too wide. Is the frame marked model 46? Are the serial number and the model number on the same side or on opposite sides? Is the top on the barrel smooth, groved, checkered? Any markings on the frame other than model & serial number? No idea why the scratches. This is not a location that end users normally use to mark pistols.

If the boxed 46 condition continues to check out, it is worth what you paid for the pair. Just my opinion, I might be wrong.

 

[s3dcor]

Thanks Bastogne71 for helping me figure this one out.

I have been after the seller to sell me one of these for 4 years. I see him a couple of times a year and have purchased several High Standards from him. He called me yesterday to say he was ready to sell.

Quote:
"The second one. More questions than answers. We really need more detailed pictures. The grips are early satin finish walnut, the trigger guard is the oversized version not the standard one, there appears the gap between the barrel and slide is too wide. Is the frame marked model 46? Are the serial number and the model number on the same side or on opposite sides? Is the top on the barrel smooth, groved, checkered? Any markings on the frame other than model & serial number? No idea why the scratches. This is not a location that end users normally use to mark pistols."

First the barrel. Almost sure it is a 41 barrel. 6" long. Grooves on the top of the barrel, grooves under the rail, above the bolt. The weight is short and different from the regular old style 41 barrel. Has a guide mark for Olympic barrel weights. When was this type of barrel used?

The frame is marked Model 46 on the right side, serial number on the left side. The slide release is grooved so it must be off a 41. The trigger guard is bright blue and as you stated oversized so it must be off a 41. The slide is a 46 it has no grooves at the back. No other frame markings.

Did the 46 come with a cleaning kit and sight tool?

 

[gmborkovic]

Great snag. For me the 46 has all ways functioned flawlessly. Only have dads left he got when I was a kid.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Hard to tell without the serial number if it's military, or put together.

 

[s3dcor]

the serial number is 48879.

 

[Jim Watson]

I recall that the oversize trigger guard was sold as an add on, it could be on any version.

 

[Bastogne71]

You have a model 41 7 3/8” barrel that has been cut to 6” by a good gunsmith. I say good because it looks to be better than average work. The tells you mentioned: groves on the top of the barrel, the witness mark too close to the muzzle, and the diagonal groves under the barrel extension. Three more are the dovetail cut for external weights, the not done by the factory barrel crown, and the gap between the barrel and slide. All of this makes it a 41 barrel. Start a search for a real 46 barrel that will restore yours to original but this may be a long frustrating and expensive search.

Smith & Wesson automatic pistols, 39, 41, 46, and 52 all shared the same serial number range. This makes dating by serial number difficult especially since S&W made no attempt to ship in numerical order. Slow moving products were worse because a production run that’s not in serial number order may be stored in the vault and pulled for shipment at random over a considerable time span. Here’s some examples of known shipping dates for model 46’s:

#48715. August 1964
#48729. July 1963
#48853. October 1967
#49000. June 1964

We see two separated by 14 digits shipped 13 months apart not in number order! I’ll let you guess the date on your #48879.

 

[s3dcor]

Bastogne: Thanks again for the excellent and knowledgeable reply. I see what you have said and agree that it is a cut down barrel. As I already have a nice 46 example I will just keep this one to shoot. My other ones are too nice to take out. Those ship dates are crazy.

Here is a photo of a couple of my 41's.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

It is a Model 46.

 

[Aussie Collector]

The first one is about as nice and you can find these days. No marks of any kind. Looks correct at least like the book and has the weight and two original mags. Box had a couple of breaks but still nice.

Does look nice. The box appears to be correct for the gun. Correct period that is, it should be marked, printed on the lid end, "Model 46" the barrel weights are for a model 41 7 3/8" barrel.

 

[Aussie Collector]

The second one is my concern, after looking it over this afternoon I now think that I have an x military frame with a model 41 slide, 6" barrel and grips. The sn is 48879. Came with 1 mag and a beat up empty box. The reason I think it is x military is that the front grip has been ground off I think to remove some markings. It looks ok, has a few speckles in the finish but likely will shoot just fine.

As pointed out the barrel is a cutdown model 41 7 3/8" barrel with a model 46 slide. The frame on the front of the grip appears to have been cleaned of the blue. From the pictures it appears there is no grinding or removal of metal only blue.

 

[Jim Watson]

Scraped off tape or dip from the front strap?

 

[Model52guy]

Bought a 5” barrel for a M46 the other day. Thought they were the same as the M41 but the top rib on this one is matte blue, not serrated like the M41. That is the only difference I see.

 

[Aussie Collector]

Bought a 5” barrel for a M46 the other day. Thought they were the same as the M41 but the top rib on this one is matte blue, not serrated like the M41. That is the only difference I see.

Hard to find spares for the 46, well done.
There are a few differences.
Serrations and finish as you mention.
Most importantly the slide cut or to be correct lack of cut as the 46 slide does not need the cutout like the model 41 slide.
This is the biggest giveaway when looking at spare barrels for 41/46.