The Definitive Model 40/42 Thread

[Thunderball]

e-mail back from S&W about the gap

Quoted in full

"Hello Sir, After examination of the picture the firearm is normal and does not need to be sent back in .

Thank You"

 

[los]

Quoted in full

"Hello Sir, After examination of the picture the firearm is normal and does not need to be sent back in .

Thank You"

Great news.

 

[pj151]

This thread made me go out and buy one.

Model 42 Serial 282xx. I am guessing late 60's? Grip# matches.

 

[JazzCatGab]

Pre-40 addition

Just to add to this thread, I have a pre-Model 40 which, from the beginning of this thread, is probably a 1955 version. The serial number is 51XX, it has the high horn smooth grip, 4 screws.

Really jazzed to see the manual Paladin posted. Thanks! Never thought of looking for the locking pin! Thanks to all for the great thread.

 

[bettis1]

Here are a couple of 99+% pre-M40's. SN 76x shipped May 13, 1953 to Wolf & Klar, Ft. Worth. SN 467x shipped Dec. 29, 1954 to Arizona Hardware Co., Phoenix.

Note that there is no mention of "Centennial" on these early boxes. The next box derivation had "Centennial" in a rubber stamp diagonally over the label. The final variation had "Centennial" printed on the label.

I don't see that anything has been said of the Model 042. This is an interesting variation. It was the first reintroduction of the alloy frame and steel cylinder and barrel and marked MOD 042 on the frame. It was produced only one year...1992 and was never cataloged. It was the predecessor of the M442. I have NIB M042 sn BMB020x. Sorry but no picture of that one.

Bob

 

[Malysh]

Great post, Bob. I've seen you post these Centennial pictures before and it's always a treat.

The Mod 042 IS an interesting variation. I prefer the one with the higher gloss anodizing to the matte variation myself.

 

[whitecoyote]

S&W model 40, serial #82xx

S&W model 42, serial $259xx

S&W model 042

 

[31Kilo]

M-40 #288xx

 

[los]

 

[31Kilo]

Send it back TTT

 

[girvin02]

Great thread, don't know how I missed it the first time around. Here's my contribution.

 

[Robinett_11B]

To the top

 

[rebelray84]

Did they ever mark the 40/42 side plate with "centennial" like they did with later bodyguard 38 and airweight 37 models?

 

[lawandorder]

 

[somethtodo]

Picked up a Model 042...now what?!?!

First of all, what an amazing and informative thread...I am so pleased to have found it. I have been looking for an airweight Centennial or Bodyguard to carry. I am now a Mod 042 owner. Barring a very faint turn line, it is 100%. Got numbered box, all inserts, wax paper and original rubber Uncle Mikes grips. It had been fired < 20 times according to the seller. I have attached two pictures (excuse the quality). The first is as I got it - original and the 2nd dressed to be my new carry piece. My question is this: How special is my newest S&W revolver - do I keep it & put it away and look for another carry gun OR carry it and enjoy it. Is the 042 one of those "I'll regret it if I carry or sell it"? I tell you it feels like a million bucks and is exactly what I have been looking for to carry - Airweight & hammerless. What to do? Input would be greatly appreciated

Thanks - Randy

ready to carry

P.S. - These pics are right after I bought it - not even wiped down yet. It is pristine, and after a little love and Rennaisance wax it will be a heart breaker!

 

[sheriffoconee]

Here is my L series as I bought it...it is wearing elkhorn stags by Executioner now with a Tyler T

 

[Art Doc]

This one (23674) was shipped in October of 1964 to a hardware store in Phoenix. It wound up on a boat in a California marina where it corroded badly. The owner traded it in on a stainless pistol and the shop polished it as best they could and parkerized it. Looks like Hell but it works fine and I got it cheap. Bagged the stags on ebay for $6. I have carried it off and on for 15 years and it's in the drawer by my knee as I type this.

Liked the beat up M40 so much I looked for one in better shape. Got this one (18822) off GunBroker about 7 years ago. Damn near in perfect condition I can't bring myself to carry it. Closest thing I have to a "safe queen." Yes, the pin is still there. Shipped March of 1962 to something called "Polak Winters Co." (that's what the letter says) in San Francisco.

 

[bettis1]

First of all, what an amazing and informative thread...I am so pleased to have found it. I have been looking for an airweight Centennial or Bodyguard to carry. I am now a Mod 042 owner. Barring a very faint turn line, it is 100%. Got numbered box, all inserts, wax paper and original rubber Uncle Mikes grips. It had been fired < 20 times according to the seller. I have attached two pictures (excuse the quality). The first is as I got it - original and the 2nd dressed to be my new carry piece. My question is this: How special is my newest S&W revolver - do I keep it & put it away and look for another carry gun OR carry it and enjoy it. Is the 042 one of those "I'll regret it if I carry or sell it"? I tell you it feels like a million bucks and is exactly what I have been looking for to carry - Airweight & hammerless. What to do? Input would be greatly appreciated

Thanks - Randy

Randy, you asked some good questions that I would also like answers to.

I also have a pristine Mod.042 in the box. In 2005 a fellow gunshow table mate who was a custom leather smith had taken this beautiful little gun, still in its box and without the cylinder evidencing ever being turned, in on a custom holster that he had made. He had no use for it and offered it to me for $300 and I sprang.

I had every intention of giving it to my wife to carry in her purse but after looking at it a while, I couldn't visualize it in that environment with keys, make-up, etc. I then thought I would replace my daily carried M442 with it but the unblemished nature of the little M042 put me off of that plan, too.

SCSWIII gives little info on the guns other than they were only produced in 1992. I need to ask Roy about them when he returns. There is some theory that they are rejects from the M642 with an overstamp but I have never been able to see that on mine. The MOD.042 on the frame and the serial number BMB020x on the butt are highlighted in white but that is the only variation that that I have found.

The box label shows the Product Code to be 103792 and the Special Order is 2129. It states the Model is 42.

Whatever their story turns out to be, I have to think that their limited production period, relative to the other Centennial models, should raise their collectibility.

Bob

 

[bettis1]

Saxon,

If everyone will forgive an off topic question, I found your first picture of that one that your rescued to be interesting. I see that you, like many of us, carry a speed strip with reloads. For a while I also only carried 5 rounds in it simply because of the easy logic that only 5 would fit in the revolver. Then it occurred to me that adding another round would not, in any way, hinder me in reloading the first 5, but would give me an additional round, if needed, at no extra effort. Acknowledging that the likelihood that any of us non-sworn individuals will ever need the eleventh round is astronomical, I wonder how many others only carry 5 rounds in their carriers that were built for 6.

Bob

 

[Malysh]

Saxon,

If everyone will forgive an off topic question, I found your first picture of that one that your rescued to be interesting. I see that you, like many of us, carry a speed strip with reloads. For a while I also only carried 5 rounds in it simply because of the easy logic that only 5 would fit in the revolver. Then it occurred to me that adding another round would not, in any way, hinder me in reloading the first 5, but would give me an additional round, if needed, at no extra effort. Acknowledging that the likelihood that any of us non-sworn individuals will ever need the eleventh round is astronomical, I wonder how many others only carry 5 rounds in their carriers that were built for 6.

Bob

I generally carry a speedloader over my speed strips. When I do carry speed strips and a 5 shot J frame, I always use the 6th slot. An extra round can't hurt and it doesn't add enough weight to make it a consideration