U.S. Marked Model 41 S&W Help:

[hemi-man]

I have a Model 41 pistol which has a 7 3/8" barrel with muzzle break. It is U.S. Marked behind trigger guard. I have a letter from S&W that is was sold in 1969 (Viet Nam Era) to U.S. Army. Can someone help with rarity and usage by the U.S. Army? Training or Competition Usage? It is about 98% all blued finish with wooden grips. I have not been able to find another that has sold in the past 10 years on internet...but sure there will be collectors on the forum that have purchased similar...Appreciate email: [email protected] Thanks Hemi

 

[Homie]

The book "U.S. Military Match and Marksmanship Automatic Pistols" by Bill Jenkins will tell you everything you want to know.

 

[hemi-man]

Thanks..just ordered it...will it give rarity? Have others on the forum seen any similar US M41's for sale on internet lately?

 

[Barrie]

They bought a lot of M46;s as well as they were a slightly cheaper version of the M41 for most of the Military Shooting teams.

 

[pinkm1978]

They are not any solid numbers I am aware which provide how many Model 41 were provided to the military. Value is very hard to assign, as you found out they don't come up for sale online or at gun shows very often. I guess it is worth whatever somebody is willing to pay.

Below is a link to a discussion I started last summer which you might find interesting. I was fortunate to come across a U.S. Marked model 41 last summer and was looking for answers to a lot of the same questions you are.

Model 41 Military Issued Questions

Good luck and post and new findings to the group!

Mike

 

[Aussie Collector]

Hi mate.
Can you give more information. I can only guess with the information. Where was it shipped to Boston or Pennsylvania or somewhere else....
The US was most likely stamped by S&W.

 

[hemi-man]

Thanks for your interest...it was shipped to Boston...Jinks supplies shipping information...but not not final disposition...so could it be possible that this could be one of the (19) pistols issued to the Coast Guard in Jan. 1970?

 

[AlHunt]

I bet pictures of the gun and letter would generate some pretty informed speculation.

 

[Barrie]

WE always enjoy pics on here as they tell us a lot about a particular firearm.

 

[pinkm1978]

Thanks for your interest...it was shipped to Boston...Jinks supplies shipping information...but not not final disposition...so could it be possible that this could be one of the (19) pistols issued to the Coast Guard in Jan. 1970?

Hi Hemi,

The 19 Coast Guard 41's are documented to be in serial number range A130587 - A130623.

If you had it lettered post the letter, maybe that will trigger some more feedback.

Mike

 

[hemi-man]

Hi Mike: No prefix so earlier than the Coast Guard contract. Hope book will arrive this week and will answer some of my questions. Thanks for your interest...do you have a "guestimate" as to who was issued your 99xxx Model 41 pistol? Training pistol? Army Shooting Team? best Hemi

 

[pinkm1978]

Hi Hemi,

The letter I received from Mr. Jinks stated mine was shipped to the United States Government Disbursing Office in Boston, MA. Beyond that I do not know where it was sent. It was shipped Feb 21, 1969.

Keep us posted on anything else you find out.

Mike

 

[hemi-man]

Hi Mike: My Jinks letter also show shipping from S&W factory on Feb. 21, 1969. It furthers states "Smith and Wesson Model 41 Target Pistol U.S. Army Contract....and delivered to U.S. Army disbursing Office, Boston Ma." So do we have any info on the size of the US Army Contract? Appreciate any forum member with US Army Contract info...take care Hemi