[Haycreek]

I visited a pawn shop and found a couple that are interesting. A S&W model 64 w/ 4" heavy barrel in 100% condition for $275.00 , hardly used. And a S&W model 41 w/ a 4" barrel , this has an exceptional trigger job, and the spurless hammer. very tight, has been carried a lot, and the blue is well worn, for $175..00. I'm not at all familiar with the 41, it looks like a good carry, what do you think?

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Haycreek,

To my knowledge, the Smith & Wesson model 41 is a
.22 caliber target pistol; which is kind'a rare and very
expensive!:uhoh: I believe I would return to that very
same shop for further detail's?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Haycreek]

Yes, I am familiar with the S&W 41 22 target, and I never heard of a Model 41, revolver chambered in 38 special. It appears to be about the size of a model 10. When I have a chance to look at it again, I will do so and report back. From memory, I believe it said Model 41, series 2----but I will check it out , I have made mistakes before!!!! Thanks,

[VictorLouis]

Could it have been a model 14, in .38 Special? Those are target revolvers with patridge front sight blades. AFAIK, they weren't done up in a 4" configuration.

[Haycreek]

I haven't been back to recheck the number yet, however, it has a barrel and sights that looks simular to a model 10, but it has a spurless hammer. and must be fired d/a only, and has the lightest d/a that I remember. 4 inch barrel.

[Mike Irwin]

Had to have been a Model 14 or simply a wrong tag.

The hammer bobbing likely would have happened post factory.

[Haycreek]

Here is more information about the S&W revolver in question: I went back and double checked the discription, it is a 4*, blue, 38 special revolver with fixed rear sights, consisting of the typical "grove-type"rear sight. the barrel is the standard weight. The Model number is "41202", this number is clear and is in two locations near the cylinder crane hinge. I have never heard of a Model 41 revolver, but this is one. It looks like a model 10 with a spurless hammer with the firing pin built onto the hammer. Apparently some one has done an outstanding trigger job. This is the lightest, smoothest d/a trigger that I have ever seen. The marked price is $179.99 but the salesman has said that it can be had for in the $150-160 range. The bluing is 40% indicating lots of carry but the revolver is tight. Somewhere back in history, S&W apparently built a few Model 41"s,or [412's] does anyone have any information? perhaps it is a "412" ??

[Johnny Guest]

Hi, Haycreek - - - -

I believe you have looked at a pre-model 10, Military & Police revolver. It could be either the pre-WWII or post war type, depending on serial number and certain other details.

S&W didn't begin marking model numbers on frame beneath the crane until some time in 1957. It was common to mark assembly numbers on frame and crane both, in that location, though. The definitive serial number is on the bottom of the butt. If a post war pre-Model 10 it would have an S or C prefix. The post war types would all have the safety bar riding inside the sideplate, as well.

Concur with above comments as to the Model 41--this is/was a high quality .22 auto pistol. There is no mention of a model 412 in the Supica & Nahas work, Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.

Unless they've done something strange, recently, S&W model numbers have always been two, three, or four digits, often with a "dash" afterward: 10-5 or the like.

Does that particular revolver have S&W factory stocks on it? Wood? Large, smooth (unchecked) diamond around the screw escutcheon? How many screws in the sideplate? Is the front sight a full half-moon, or is there a flat face on the rear?

If the piece has a store tag mentioning it as a model 41, it is simly mismarked--Some clerkwith a little knowledge misconstrued part of the assembly number.

If you can furnish the number off the butt, someone here will be hapy to give you the aproximate date of production. I don't guess there's any way you could snap a couple of digital photos, is there? ;)

Please be clear on this point, friend--No one here is making sport of your lack of this particular knowledge. You learn stuff like this by asking questions and reading, same as we did.

If the revolver is nice and tight, and the 40% finish is not a re-blue, the price is really pretty good. With that smooth an action, and were it in a local shop, I might be a buyer myself.

Best of luck--
Johnny

[Mike Irwin]

It's NOT a Model 41 revolver -- there's no such critter.

It's most likely a Model of 1905 Military & Police Hand Ejector, 4th Change. Only the serial number would tell for sure. S&W didn't start stamping the model number in the crane cutout until approx. 1957, when they also started referring in public to the various models by number and name instead of just the name.

By 1957 the Model 41 semi-auto target pistol was already well established, so I sincerely doubt that S&W would even have considered having two Model 41s in their line up.

The number that you are seeing, 41202, is the floor "assembly" number.

These numbers were stamped at a number of places on the gun, including where you found them, during manufacturing to keep the various components together.

The serial number is stamped on the bottom of the grip.

The spurless hammer was likely done at the same time the trigger job was done.

If you have a chance, stop back and see what the serial number is, and I can tell you within a couple of years when it was made.

[Haycreek]

We're making headway, the Smith & Wesson revolver in question has a C in front of serial number 206374. It has wooden checkered grips, much smaller than some of today's big square butts. Any help identifing the old S&W is appreciated.

[Johnny Guest]

Hi, Mike Irwin--
Not the first time we've both been writing replies at the same time, huh? Glad to see that my information tends to go right along with yours-- I tend to consider you one of the top S&W data sources on THR.

Haycreek - - -
Yep, you've nailed it down. It is indeed the M&P model, the "pre-Model 10," as described above by Mike.

S/N C-206374 shows to have been made during the 1948 to 1951 era. Since C223999 was the first number for 1952, the revolver in question was probably made in '51, or possibly late '50.

If the original stocks have not been replaced, they should have the "large diamond" around the screw.

Again, not a bad price. In your place, if I didn't already have a very similar piece, I'd very likely buy it.

Best regards,
Johnny

[Haycreek]

Thanks, Johnny and Mike, the 4" barrel and spurless hammer makes and interesting combination with the excellent trigger job. Somebody slicked the M&P up into a carry piece that was made to "work". I like the 4" inch barrel. It does have the original checkered grip with the big diamond, and the blue looks original and worn from years of carry. Looks like a "thinking man's handgun from 1950. Likely has some history.

[Mike Irwin]

Hi, Johnny!

I woulda been first to post, too, except for a particularly annoying coworker. :)

"I tend to consider you one of the top S&W data sources on THR."

Why thank you. :o I do try...

[Lone Star]

Mike-

I don't know that I'd say that the Model 41 was WELL ESTABLISHED BY 1957. It was only INTRODUCED that year if memory serves...

Lone Star

[Mike Irwin]

Lone,

I thought it was introduced in 1951, but you may well be right. I don't pay much attention to S&W semi-autos.