S&W Model 46 in 22 Short??

[rolltide14]

I saw a thread earlier asking about rare Smith's. A year or so ago I saw a model 46 box for sale on Gun Broker that appeared to be factory marked for a 5.5 heavy barrel 22 short. This was printed on the box not on a hand written label. Was this gun ever built and if so what quanity? Are there other uncatologed 41's or 46's that were built in any quanity? Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[civil1977]

I remember seeing that box also and I recall it was priced high. The SCSW 3rd Edition doesn't mention any .22 short Model 46s and a S&W Collectors Association article doesn't mention any either. The presence of a box suggests some were produced but then agian the box could have been mismarked or even faked. If they exist, would they be called a 46-1?

Another rare variation would be the few factory nickel Model 41s which have been documented per SCSW 3rd Edition.

 

[rolltide14]

The pictures of the box show the serial number as 78792 and was not marked -1. I hope someone can shed some light on this gun. Was it real or did someone fake the box?

 

[smithfan4152]

22 short

I had a Box for a Model 46, in 22 short, they did make them, this was printed on the end of the box, in sliver letters, and could not be faked in my opinion. It only had a crayon marked serial number on the underside of the lower half. I was told the boxes were rare, time for Tom Beckwith to chime in.

 

[rolltide14]

I've been collecting models 41 and 46 for years and just recently added the last of the catologed models. I'd appreciate any information on other variations or other items i might add to my collection. I'd really like to know how to identify the one's that were used by the amu guys.

 

[civil1977]

I'd really like to know how to identify the one's that were used by the amu guys.

If you haven't already, check out "US Military Match and Marksmanship Automatic Pistols" by Bill Jenkins. There is a small section on military 41s and 46s. The book states that all branches of the military purchased 41s and most were stamped "US" on the left side of the frame following the serial number. I'm assuming the AMU guns would have been stamped this way. The Model 46 was developed for the Air Force and most were stamped "AFPG" for Air Force Professional Grade.

 

[rolltide14]

Thanks, I have Bill's book and it's excellent info on amu guns. I have a couple of 1911's built as described in the book with 38 super slides, 38 amu barrels, chambered in 38spl. I think they came from Colt as kits shipped to the amu unit and some gunsmiths inculding Clark. Does anyone know if Giles ever built any 41's?

 

[smithfan4152]

22 short Box model 46

Here is the 5 1/2 inch Model 46 box, Marked in 22 Short.
For those of you who have never seen one, they are Rare boxes.

 

[Aussie Collector]

The pictures of the box show the serial number as 78792 and was not marked -1. I hope someone can shed some light on this gun. Was it real or did someone fake the box?

Came across this old thread again and thought it should be, well, closed out so to speak. For the record.
After I first read this thread I made some inquiries.
According to the records "78792 was a standard Model 46 and was not chamber in .22 Short."