The Definitive Model 40/42 Thread

[Malysh]

Centennial Airweight # 3651 was shipped from the factory on June 21, 1954 (my parent's anniversary) to Morley Brothers Co. Saginaw MI.
It was shipped with a 2 inch barrel, blue finish, and smooth walnut high horn grips.

Centennial Mod 40 # 17,699 was shipped from the factory on May 9, 1961 (not 1962 as I misremembered) to Charles Daley Co. Emsford NY.
It was shipped with a 2 inch barrel, blue finish, and smooth walnut high horn grips.

 

[los]

...The Mod 640 is a genuine Centennial and has the distinction of being the first Centennial model to be reintroduced after production of the L prefix series ended in 1974. It lead the way, so to speak, for the 642 etal, and the "Classic" Centennials that were introduced a few years ago.

I concur.

For me the 640 stands out as being the first stainless made [safety] hammerless and the first 357 mag Centennial variant, and of course, the first Centennial variant sans grip safety.

I think it's fair to say that the original Centennial is the grand daddy of all the safety hammerless variants, including the ultra-lite framed, laser equipped models in current production.

 

[Malysh]

"Affirmative. Although I have a member/centennial owner reporting in with a s/n 11xx, shipped in 1952. It would appear that S&W was very busy at the end of 52 shipping out a large amount of Centennials." - Los

I wonder how accurate the time line is? I find it hard to believe that S&W produced 1100 or more of these in 1952, considering that Centennial Airweight production started on Nov. 21st 1952 and Centennial production started Dec 1, 1952. That would mean that they made 1100 of them in 40 days. Seems like a lot considering that Mr. Jinks stated that full production did not start until August 26, 1953, some 10 months after the first ones were made.
There are always anomolies in doing this type of research. Similar mysteries are found with other noted companies like Colt and Walther.

If you want any help with this research let me know, I'd be happy to help. Centennials and Centennial Airweights are of special interest to me.

 

[los]

...I find it hard to believe that S&W produced 1100 or more of these in 1952, considering that Centennial Airweight production started on Nov. 21st 1952 and Centennial production started Dec 1, 1952. That would mean that they made 1100 of them in 40 days.

Perhaps the assembly and subsequent shipping of sequential s/n Centennials was breached..? I think an accurate reference will eventually be established as more owners chime in with their handguns in the coming weeks and months....

I'm looking forward to it..!!!

..If you want any help with this research let me know, I'd be happy to help. Centennials and Centennial Airweights are of special interest to me.

Thanks. I'll most likely be taking you up on that offer, sooner or later.

 

[los]

Centennial Airweight # 3651 was shipped from the factory on June 21, 1954 (my parent's anniversary) to Morley Brothers Co. Saginaw MI.
It was shipped with a 2 inch barrel, blue finish, and smooth walnut high horn grips.

Centennial Mod 40 # 17,699 was shipped from the factory on May 9, 1961 (not 1962 as I misremembered) to Charles Daley Co. Emsford NY.
It was shipped with a 2 inch barrel, blue finish, and smooth walnut high horn grips.

Extremely valuable information.!

Your Airweight has to have an enormous amount of sentimental value. I sincerely appreciate you sharing that information with us.

Again, THANK YOU very much.

 

[los]

I took her out today to take some photographs in her factory attire. I'll post a few more photos once the stags and the t-grip is installed. It may be a while before I find a t-grip, though.

I'm hoping to take her out to the range tomorrow.

Here's a few photos...

 

[flgolfer29]

Excellent photo skills los. Your 40 looks almost too good to alter...

 

[los]

Thanks, golfer.

I think all s&w handguns are a thing of beauty. They're sorta like the Beauty and the Beast, all in one package.

 

[jcelect]

Right but Wrong!

Hey los
You wrote "Perhaps the assembly and subsequent shipping of sequential s/n Centennials was breached..? I think an accurate reference will eventually be established as more owners chime in with their handguns in the coming weeks and months.... " which is a true statment! However it is also a wrong statement! Mr. Jinks has stated many times that the factory did not manufacture nor ship guns in ANY serial number sequential order. I have been tracking serial number/ship date data for a couple years now to be used in a research project on Sun Burst boxes. I have four serial numbers of pre 40 and pre 42 models which exemplify Mr Jinks statement;
#3647 - pre 42 - Dec 1957
#3651 - pre 42 - Jun 1954
#3933 - pre 40 - Nov 1954
#5062 - pre 40 - Nov 1954
Thank you Malysh for providing #3651 however it will not be used in my research as I only use numbers from the boxes!

There are a couple of Centennials in this picuture that fit the critera of this thread! ? ! ?
jcelect SWCA#LM723

 

[los]

Hey los
You wrote "Perhaps the assembly and subsequent shipping of sequential s/n Centennials was breached..? I think an accurate reference will eventually be established as more owners chime in with their handguns in the coming weeks and months.... " which is a true statment! However it is also a wrong statement! Mr. Jinks has stated many times that the factory did not manufacture nor ship guns in ANY serial number sequential order. I have been tracking serial number/ship date data for a couple years now to be used in a research project on Sun Burst boxes. I have four serial numbers of pre 40 and pre 42 models which exemplify Mr Jinks statement;
#3647 - pre 42 - Dec 1957
#3651 - pre 42 - Jun 1954
#3933 - pre 40 - Nov 1954
#5062 - pre 40 - Nov 1954
Thank you Malysh for providing #3651 however it will not be used in my research as I only use numbers form the boxes!

SWCA#LM723

Thank You, Sir.

You've provided valuable information that brings much needed clarity to the Thread. I appreciate that. I'll revise the TL to reflect the data.

I'm hopeful that the Time Line will eventually accumulate enough [accurate] information for it to be utilized as a useful reference.

If anything, it should at least provide a good estimation on shipping dates and fully document any and all factory changes that took place, in chronological order.

Do you have any data regarding production numbers from year to year?

 

[los]

Just a few more pics before the Leather, Stags and T-Grip arrive....

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Los i was told by S&W when I called about the Pre-40 I used to have serial #248 & was told a ship date of April 15th 1953..
Dick Burg has a Nickeled one with a lower number but never got the ship date etc from him, he brought it to a Gunshow one weekend to show me & David Carrol..
There's also a couple of guys around here that have them & the red box the early Pre Bangor Punta Centennials came in..

 

[Thunderball]

I have since gotten T-grips for all 3. I usually carry the nickle one. The other 2 have not been shot.

 

[los]

Los i was told by S&W when I called about the Pre-40 I used to have serial #248 & was told a ship date of April 15th 1953..
Dick Burg has a Nickeled one with a lower number but never got the ship date etc from him, he brought it to a Gunshow one weekend to show me & David Carrol..
There's also a couple of guys around here that have them & the red box the early Pre Bangor Punta Centennials came in..

Thanks, HK.

That would corroborate jcelect previous post. I'll revise the TL to reflect yours.

Thanks a bunch.!!

 

[los]

Nice threesome, T.

Thanks for the photos

But why no love for the 42..???

 

[flgolfer29]

I just picked up my Model 40 and now I am having buyers remorse.

I'm second guessing not getting a model 640 or maybe even a 442.

I will be attending a gun show at Ft. Walton Beach, FL fairgrounds this coming Saturday and I may try and trade it off. Just not so sure how I am going to like the back-strap safety after all.

 

[los]

Hello, golfer.

Sorry you feel that way about the 40. I'm sure you won't have any problem selling it. The 640 is a sweet piece, as is the 442. They are two different animals, though.

I hope you end up with a ccw that you'll appreciate and want to carry everyday day.

My stags were delivered yesterday. I snapped a few photos and then took them off to be sent to the Executioner for medallion installation. here's a few pics...

 

[Thunderball]

How does the yoke to frame fit? Mine seems to have a rather large gap. But it functions fine?

 

[flgolfer29]

Sorry you feel that way about the 40. I'm sure you won't have any problem selling it. The 640 is a sweet piece, as is the 442. They are two different animals, though.

I hope you end up with a ccw that you'll appreciate and want to carry everyday day.

My stags were delivered yesterday. I snapped a few photos and then took them off to be sent to the Executioner for medallion installation. here's a few pics...

Thanks los. The issue I have with the back-strap safety is it has to be gripped just right, at least on mine, or the trigger won't pull. It puts a little bit of doubt as to whether it would perform in a situation it may / could be needed.

Your 40 looks great as stock or with the stags.

 

[los]

How does the yoke to frame fit? Mine seems to have a rather large gap. But it functions fine?

I'd say mine has a precise solid fit. What's your definition of a "large gap"?