Hello
As Most of you know from my previous Posts, I am an avid
S&W revolver freak. I have plenty of
K-22's that I shoot target with, But
I have never owned a model 41. One reason was I could
Buy almost two K-22's to the Price of a Model 41 and the Other reason was because I just have always Liked
revolvers a Little better than semi autos. This weekend I came across a
whole Vintage model 41 Package so dove off the deep end and bought it. This Pistol shipped in
June 1965 and has the
7-3/8" Barrel with a Muzzle Break and an under weight inside of it, made of steel. It was Owned by a
96 Year Old Man who shared with me, it was his
64 Year old Son's and bought brand new for him by the Father, but the Son died last year of Cancer, and now he had no choice
with stemming health issues of his own, But to sell it, But he wanted to make sure it went to a
good home where it would be shot, Taken good care of and enjoyed. I helped this 96 Year old man unload his Items for sale at this gun show and he
asked if I liked S&W's ? I answered him,
Does a Fat baby Fart ? He was tickled with my quick response to his question and asked if I had some time to
visit with him ?. I was real busy, But saw this old man
needed some company, so others that needed my assistance would just have to wait. The Old Guy
was as sharp as a Tack, Memory wise, and listening to him as he spoke of many range shoots and visits was like
being there back in the Mid 1960's when his son used to shoot this Pistol in competition events. He went on to say back then, the Only Pistols close to a S&W Model 41 as far as
quality or being deadly accurate were the
High Standard Olympic version Pistols. How this all started out was he had made a
mistake when Loading his Gun show Items and brought the
Original box for this model 41 to the gun show with him, and me being a
S&W freak I saw it Placed on his Table , and Had asked if it was for sale as I occasionally saw a Model 41 without it's box for sale a little cheaper than one with all the Garnishing's, I though Possibly someday I may be
Lucky enough to own a model 41. We carried on almost an Hour, Talking about how I shot at the Local raneg next to me and was a n NRA Range Safety zofficer there and helped out Train those that needed to learn Gun safety and training.
After hearing how deep I was Into Hand gun shooting he
Promised to bring his Son's model 41 in the following day for me to just Look at, as he said he did not know if he was
ready to sell it off yet. I met him early on Saturday morning as he motioned for me to come over to his Table. He took the 41 Pistol out of a
Custom Lamb skin Gun Rug that had his Son's Initials on it. 
He held it out to me like a proud Father would hand over his baby. I handled it like it was
made of Glass and marveled at how well it was built and how well it still Looked for it's age. He sat next to me and told
some more stories of how it used to Beat out the High standards when his Son would shoot it. He asked if I had ever thought of
Owning a model 41 before ? I told him I sure had, but most that were this Nice were way out of my Price range. I spoke of my revolvers in the K-22 sense I had Purchased over the years and
grown real fond of never selling them, but adding to my collection of them & He asked what I had spent on a K-22 That was In Mint shape and I said I had a Nice
K-22 Pre-War Outdoorsman I was proud of that I got a
steal on at $750.00 that rated an easy 98 %. I went to hand it back to him, and he asked if I wanted to own that one
for the same price ? As he was waiting for my answer he handed me the correct original Box, The Paperwork, The Tools and Cleaning Kit which was Not Opened yet, and Three fresh magazines. I told him I would have to think about it, and he acted offended and said
What on Earth is there to think about, at that Price as it is a Lot cheaper than anyone else's ?. He then got a
Little emotional and I could see
some Tears welling up, as he said I had hoped
you would buy it, as my Son would want a guy like you that Loved S&W's the way I see that you do, to take this Pistol to the range and really enjoy it's fine craftsmanship, and deadly accuracy. I had never
been placed over a barrel like this before to Purchase a gun in all the past Transactions I had Purchased S&W Guns it had been strictly a Business flat out deal with Little or no emotion So That did it, I could
not refuse his Generous offer, I Smiled at him said I would take it. I gave him Half the money and said I would pay the rest in the evening when the show closed, if that would be all right.
He agreed to the Offer and shook my hand telling me
you will not regret this Purchase, I just know it Young Man, as he cracked a slight smile in return, Obviously Pleased I had decided to Take it. I sold off another gun I had brought to make up the difference and when the show was closing I approached his table again. He sat there Looking at the model 41 Pistol and was wiping it off before placing it in the box for me. He looked up as I handed him the balance of the money, and said,
Please take good care of it. I shook his Frail old Hand and assured him
I would wear this Pistol out at my local range.
He smiled and said enjoy it Young man ,I know my son sure did, He went on to tell me he was approached by a
Vendor after I had left him earlier in the day that had all the money He was asking for to Pay for this Pistol,
But he refused to take his money as we had a deal all ready worked out on our Hand shake. The vendor was sore because he would Not sell it to him, and the Old man told this vendor that it was His Gun and he wanted to make certain it was going to have a good home with someone that understood the quality and significance of a transaction,
Not some dealer that was Buying it to just make a fast Buck off it. I got a Kick out of it as the Old Man showed he still had a
Little Grit in his voice , as he conveyed this story to me and smiled when he was done. This is the first gun I have ever Bought that made me feel a
Little sad as I walked away from it's owner, almost Like I was Taking Part of him away with the deal. I knew what it meant to that Old man as he was reliving his Youth remembering the times he had watched his son use it in competition, as he watched me make my way to the door to put this Pistol in my Vehicle. I will get some pictures of it up tomorrow as it was dark when I got home tonight, but as I unpacked it, I found a note
hand written by the Old Man, That said enjoy this fine Pistol and Please Take care of it like my Son did all those Years, and that Kind of Bothered me, as I handled it and made sure it was cleaned and Oiled correctly before shooting it tomorrow, it almost felt like his s
on was watching over my shoulder, as I Marveled at it Beauty.
Regards, Hammerdown
