Hi again, I found this Smith that appears Unfired in the original red box with paperwork. It looks like a flat latch or semi flat latch if such a thing. I wonder if anyone can tell me the year and desirability. I'm not real familiar with this one. It's called the Centennial Chiefs special... MAny thanks, photos attached
Smith Wesson centennial Chiefs special
- Thread starter revnig
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lamarw
Member
Looks almost like my Model 42 Centennial except mine certainly does not look like it is NIB or never shot. LOL
Mine was shipped on Jan. 23, 1962 and is serial number 19476.
If you provide the first part of the serial number including any letter prefixes if there is any, someone will help with the approximate production period. You can share the last SN with the last two numbers as XX if you are concerned about it.
Check inside the grips/stocks and see if the locking pin is stored there. It is used to pin the grip safety in the fire position.
I have not heard of it referred to as a Chiefs Special
Mine was shipped on Jan. 23, 1962 and is serial number 19476.
If you provide the first part of the serial number including any letter prefixes if there is any, someone will help with the approximate production period. You can share the last SN with the last two numbers as XX if you are concerned about it.
Check inside the grips/stocks and see if the locking pin is stored there. It is used to pin the grip safety in the fire position.
I have not heard of it referred to as a Chiefs Special
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lamarw
Member
Your revolver has a very low serial number and was probably manufactured in the 1952 - 53 time period.
There are others here that keep better tabs on SN's. I am simply referring to a book.
There are others here that keep better tabs on SN's. I am simply referring to a book.
The centennial is merely a Chief Special with a concealed hammer and a grip safety. 
DocB
Member
That's a nice one and early too! Did I see a Red Box and a Helpful Hints manual too??? Wow! I don't know what you have in the gun, but I know there's some good money sitting there in the box and manual.
OldDominion
Member
That's a very nice early Centennial (Pre40). It most likely shipped from the factory in late 1953. The first Centennials were shipped in the Chief Special red boxes with the word "Hammerless" added and "Centennial" or "Centennial Airweight" (Pre42) stamped on the label. Later, the Sun Ray boxes had Centennial labels pasted on them. You have something else that is rarely seen, which is the "Centennial Helpful Hints" pamphlet. All in all a very nice package.
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Thanks for the information. Yes it's in the red box with the helpful hints manual. The revolver looks nearly untouched and Unfired. I paid $250 at an estate sale plus another $240 for a brand new model 29 3 inch bbl in factory box
Thief Thief Thief!!! Those are prices that are worth less than the Red box is worth. Nice score !!!!
I was waiting for you to pipe in!!!! What a revolver and what a find OP. Can you just imagine all of these gems sitting out there. I wish I could find an estate sale like the OP's.
Congrats revnig!
Your 2 revolvers are easily worth 2K. Nice estate sale
Your 2 revolvers are easily worth 2K. Nice estate sale
Your SW Chiefs Special Hammerless is actually the official correct name for that gun. The Centennial came about as it was introduced in year of SW 's Centennial. The name stuck. you do have roughly $2k in hardware there! Not bad for a $500 investment.
mjr
Member
The centennial is merely a Chief Special with a concealed hammer and a grip safety.
Whadya mean merely? The Centennial's a Great Leap Forward from the Chief's Special!
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