Tell me all about the Model 41

[Hair Trigger]

I've read what the 4th Ed. SCSW has to say, what else is there to know? I'm looking at a mid-1980's complete M41 package, 7" barrel, with the wood case at my LGS. It was bought new by the store owner's father, who was an Army SF armorer for much of his career. I don't think this one is one of the many purchased by the military for their shooting teams or training. it is way too nice, looks brand new. he's asking $1600 for it, but is considering a trade. The SN is TAFxxxx.

 

[MauleN12VR]

mid-1980's complete M41 package

When you say "mid-1980's complete M41 package", what all does that entail?

Thanks

 

[824tsv]

Wood Case????

 

[murphydog]

The serial number prefix is probably from 1985.

S & W sold cases in the 1980s that would fit a model 41 but it was certainly not part of the new gun package. The era of military purchases was the 1960s as I recall.

$1600 seems high.

 

[chief38]

$1,600.00 is a ridiculous price to pay for a M41 - even a coveted vintage model in like new condition - in my opinion. I would pay $1,250 - $1,300.00 for a complete vintage M41 package IF all accouterments were included - but IMHO $1,600 is over the top! MAYBE $1,350.00 if wood case is original and $1,400.00 if I just could NOT help my self restrain - but $1,600 - NOPE!!!

 

[teletech]

If it doesn't say US property, it likely wasn't.
I wonder if those saying that's way too much money have bought one lately. $1600 might be high, but I see similar pretty often in CA / AZ / NV...
For a while now a good condition M41 seems to be a $1200-$1500 item without box or papers, for a very good to near-mint specimen. The early guns with the cocking indicator are on the higher end of that. Cracked or chipped stocks are somewhat common and lower the price somewhat.
Box and papers tends to add $150 or so. Threading or porting on the muzzle adds vale and the weights can add considerable value.
That said, I personally have never seen a 41 in less than very good condition. I think the lack of a usable safety and weight, coupled with their cost and intended use have done a very good job of keeping them out of holsters and damp places over the years.

 

[Bald1]

I'm watching this thread closely as I have early model 41 5" with cocking indicator and 2 factory mags that I'm considering selling

 

[Sevens]

Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, Gunbroker can be a powerful tool for some pricing questions. YES, you get tax and shipping and now compliance fees tacked on. And YES, you cannot always win a bid for the gun you want at the price you want.

But you certainly can use the advanced search to see the array of final sale prices.

One thing that jumps off the screen when it comes to the subject of possibly wanting to buy one…

These are not scarce guns… AT ALL. There are certainly scarce variants and there were many options, but right now Gunbroker has 85+ examples LIVE and for bid or sale right now.

This matters to the conversation if a big part of the conversation is the price.

 

[Bald1]

Definitely not scarce. It's just an expensive gun.

 

[GSP Fan]

Mine is from 82 and there is an A prefix to the serial number. $1600 is ridiculous IMHO. There is/was a nice one for sale in the classifieds here.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I agree that the price is a bit high, and I'm working on the dealer to see if I can get it for less. I know his Dad pretty well, he has some impressive stuff in his collection, which also includes a Hitler Youth dagger that he found in a basement of a house they rented in Germany about 20 years ago. When they showed it to the owner of the house, the owner turned pale and told them to take it. Most are things he's picked up along the way during a 30 year career in the Army, most of it in the Special Forces.

The SCSW lists the M41 ANIB value at $1300, and that is a 6 year old valuation now. The catalog does not differentiate between the early or late versions. I'm going to take a much longer look at the pistol and see just what comes with it. The gun itself doesn't have a mark on it. Should I buy it, I plan to shoot it, but it will be well-cared for.

 

[BB57]

I bought this one, dating to about 1971, a couple months ago with two magazines for $1100 out the door, IIRC. It was priced right and wasn't a scream right off the shelf deal.

They were selling new ones for about $1400 out the door. I'd have paid $1400 for the used one before I'd have paid $1400 for the new one. They really don't make them like they used to.

With most firearms you can look at recent completed auctions of Gun Broker and get a fair idea of current market value, but with the S&W 41 it's hard to do that.

There are variations in age, barrel length, contour, muzzle brakes, etc as well as the usual with or without box and with or without cleaning tools, hang tags etc that will throw the actual final bids all over the place.

In the end, it's worth exactly what you are willing to pay for it.

I'll also add that with firearms that are no longer made, or are no longer made to the same level of quality, you rarely pay too much, you just buy too soon.

For example, I bought an earlyWinchester 9422XTR for $700 about 8-9 years ago and the general consensus from the blue book crowd was that I paid too much. They were placing the value down around $450-$500.

Today an early 9422 XTR in that same excellent condition will sell for $1350-$1500. Did I pay a little too much? Maybe $50-100, but not nearly as much as blue book references suggest. Blue book values are flawed for a couple reasons:

1) they are old before they are even printed and published; and

2) it's a "blue book" value intended to help retail sellers, who will buy one with an intent to turn around and sell it at a profit.

So…if you want it, buy it. Unless you plan to quick turn it for a profit (and if that's your intent you need to have an FFL), you won't lose money on it. And unless you find another like it for less money fairly soon, when you do get around to buying one you won't pay much, if any, less for it.

 

[jrm53]

I have many old American Rifleman and there was an article about the model 41 it said the 41 was designed in 1941 and it was called the 41, the war came along and S&W put it on hold. I cant remember the date that they brought it out but I was a year old in 1941 and that was one fine pistol in 1941. I have held one but never shot one. Jeff

 

[Phantom309]

I'm nobody, and my opinion doesn't matter. But the difference between $1600 and $1400, is 12%. I'm not wealthy, but when buying something that I want, that there is a definitely limited supply, 12% doesn't matter at all.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Well, guys, I appreciate all the comments very much, and I have a correction to make, well, two of them.
1- The price is $1200, I mis-read the tag when I hurriedly looked at it the first time.
2-It has the original blue/silver box, and not a wood case. It does have the tools and paperwork with it, too, but no weights (the earlier ones had them, but not this one). It was lying on top of its box in the display case, and the box was lying on an animal fur, and I suppose I "mis-remembered" that as being a wooden box.

So, it's your basic M41 7" .22LR target pistol, and there isn't a mark on it. He won't budge on the price, but from what some of you have said, $1200 is a reasonable price. He is willing to do a trade, so I may come up with something to offer. I have a SA EMP4 9mm, and made a deal this week with a gentleman here on the forum to buy two EMP4's that he has, one is a 9mm and one is a .40S&W, which I have been looking for. I may trade my EMP4 and some cash for the M41.

Stay tuned.

 

[GSP Fan]

Sounds like your on the right track