I recently bought this Smith and Wesson Model 41 .22 LR from a LGS. The gun turned out to be a surprising find. It was just tagged as a Model 41 and being a consignment gun from an estate, the LGS knew little about it. The price was right, it has a great muzzle compensator and, of course, what‘s not to like about a .22. After buying it, I discovered it was made in 1957, the first year. First production run serial numbers began at 3001 and ended at 4999, this gun being 3369. In the first year, by December 1957 they reached numbers in the 3900 serial range. Of note, it took a bit of research to ferret out this information. One thing to keep in mind, Smith and Wesson automatics used the same serial numbers no matter what the model of automatic pistol it was and did not use a specific block of numbers. Jinks says only 679 guns were produced in 1957. That would mean (follow me here) that the serial number may not reflect the production number and though this gun would be number 369 for the year, it is likely production wise, not the 369th Model 41. While it cannot be higher in the production order, if serial numbers were used leading up to serial 369 for other models, it could be closer to the first production Model 41.
![Image]()
![Image]()
An Old Smith & Wesson Model 41
2 reading
GRI
21 - 40 of 50 Posts
I’ve bought two 5” field barrels in last year, and missed another at $250. There are 3 different 5” barrels. I wanted the first generation that had same patridge blade front as the standard 41 barrels. The generation #2 barrels had ramp type similar to Baughman. I don’t like this type of sight because my eyes don’t define a sharp top of sight. The #3 generation is even worse, it has the red ramp.
I have never owned the barrel with the extendable sight, don’t want one. I have several S&W K22s most are 6” barrels.
When I started out buying back 60yrs ago, I only made $40 a week and I always went for longest barrels. It was several years before I figured out 6-7 inch was just about perfect length in most cases. I saw a 5.5” / extended sight not to long ago. I think it was $650. Owner had removed sight and D&T for scope base. The sight went with it but I wasn’t least bit interested in it to begin with and certainly not at that price.
I have never owned the barrel with the extendable sight, don’t want one. I have several S&W K22s most are 6” barrels.
When I started out buying back 60yrs ago, I only made $40 a week and I always went for longest barrels. It was several years before I figured out 6-7 inch was just about perfect length in most cases. I saw a 5.5” / extended sight not to long ago. I think it was $650. Owner had removed sight and D&T for scope base. The sight went with it but I wasn’t least bit interested in it to begin with and certainly not at that price.
I have one NIB from 1967. Shipped to a Treasury Agent in Charge at the Treasury Bld. Shipped with a S&W M19. One can only guess why he never shot it. Big Larry
Same here. I bought one from a guy at work a couple of years ago. It is a 1999 model. Got the gun with a red dot scope for 600 bucks.
Joined
·
953 Posts
I missed this thread when posted. I have a 7-3/8" long barrel compensated, 1960: and a 5-1/2", 1971. Both with cocking indicators, both high condition. I love them. The 1960, S/N 43xxx has a high polish but not like the one 4 digit one shown. Smith based the model 41 on the Walther Olympic model from the 1930s; copying the slide recoil spring design. IMO, it is superior to High Standard and Colt's. I have many Hi Standard models, but only the one they copied from Hartford Arms, Model B, has the ramped barrel. When they went to removable barrels, they did away with the ramp. It can cause stovepipes if the magazine lips aren't just right. I have a very broad based 22 target pistol collection I want to post someday.
![Image]()
Send me a 41 and I’ll send you a Victor! !
Joined
·
10,316 Posts
This early example is my wife's:
Cam
Cam
Ive got several target pistols and the old 7 3/8” with muzzle brake are my favorite shooters. The 5.5” Heavy seem muzzle heavy to me. My newest additions a couple 5” the jury is still out on.
More than likely modified after acquired from USAF. Several branches bought small lots of M41 for their marksmanship programs. Would be factory traceable by serial. Besides that the M41 is easy barrel swap. If military contract a letter would show what it left factory as. I have same barrel that was professionally modified for suppressor. Having no interest in cans, it just has thread protector on muzzle. Guess I’m not very tacti-cool , still shooting irons too!
Joined
·
6,925 Posts
Period correct Vietnam era Oxford light and laser.... and manual slide lock on the rear to keep it extra quiet when suppressed. One can wonder where that one was intended to go, along with the other 29 that maybe were put to use. It certainly wasn't built for square range target practice.
That's a unicorn for sure. Wow, just wow.....
Joined
·
2,544 Posts
The slide lock and threaded barrel were done at the factory. The Oxford sight was added by Art Cook who did a lot of "special" work for the government. These shipped with "sound depressors" and extra magazines. They were for the survival kits in the SR-71 Blackbird spy planes, 30 of which came online in 1968.
![Image]()
The military shooting teams did buy quite a few Model 41 and Model 46 pistols for competition but they were standard configurations.
The military shooting teams did buy quite a few Model 41 and Model 46 pistols for competition but they were standard configurations.
I wasn’t aware of that. Powers had Hi-Std when his U2 was shot down. I have seen Colt Woodsman with suppressor from WW2. I have seen slide locks on 41s since suppressors are vogue. I wonder if they are availed from S&W? I would guess these 41s do not have “property” markings on them?
![]()
I know the slide locks I have seen were not factory installed. I think work done by same guy doing the cutting and threading. I was referring to slide lock as a part from S&W. I have never paid much attention to ones I’ve seen, due to my lack of interest in suppressors. It is amazing how little pressure is required to hold slide. I have seen some nice old 22 pistols with severe cases of Bubba suppressor and slide lock work. A few years ago I got an old Colt Woodsman that was drilled full of 1/8” holes, Bubba attempt at suppressing?
21 - 40 of 50 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
