Were there any 5.5" 41's produced in 1958?

[Tony Rumore]

I have a model 41, S/N 11887 with a 5.5" barrel. Everything that I have seen shows all the 1958 guns with 7" barrels. I'm thinking I may not have the original barrel on my gun.

Tony Rumore
Tromix

 

[4T5GUY]

Just wait for the very knowledgeable 41 members to respond. They will be able to definitely answer your question. By my memory the 5" field barrel was offered for the first time in 1958. Seems like the 5 1/2" one would have been offered first.

What kind of ampersand does your barrel have? If it's not "lazy" it's not original for a '58.

Jim

 

[Tony Rumore]

That's what I thought. The bluing doesn't match either.
What year was the ampersand changed?

 

[Bastogne71]

Tony,
Your M41 likely was shipped in the summer of 1958. Because S&W didn't ship in number order, that's as close a guestimate as you can get without a letter from Roy Jinks.

The 5 1/2" heavy barrel was approved by S&W management on Aug 26, 1963 and the earliest I see on my database was shipped in late 1964.

I think the change to the ampersand was in the late sixties or early seventies but I don't have any real data on that.

If it really bothers you, find an earlier barrel and if doesn't you have a very fine pistol to shoot and enjoy!

Your M41 came from the factory with a 7 3/8" barrel with the muzzle break as that was the only option available in 1958.

 

[Tony Rumore]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Tony

 

[wproct]

I would shoot that pistol with pride and enjoy!

 

[civil1977]

The original four barrel configurations were;

7 3/8" with muzzle brake (or false muzzle) - 1957
5" Field - 1959
5 1/2" Heavy - 1963
5 1/2" Heavy EFS (extendable front site) - 1965