According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd Edition, the model 40 was numbered concurrently with the model 42, so both guns began using the "L" prefix to serial numbers in 1971. Both models were discontinued in 1974 so you can date them some where in there. As far as the model 60 it says the special run of the model 60-1 with adjustable sights was in 1986. If it was 70s it would have a pinned barrel as they deleted pinned barrel in 1982. I am super late but thank you for posting these beautiful Smiths.
Those are all beautiful! All of them! I'm not super huge on the centennials, they had to grow on me, but I love them now! So cool! I just discovered the other day that the Model 60 had one with target sights on it. Never seen it before that I can remember. I started collecting Smiths about a year and a half ago and I only have 3 right now but I plan on getting more. I have a 4th on layaway right now and can't Wait to get it! The Centennials and Bodyguards (pre 1990's of course) both had to grow on me, but I absolutely love the Bodyguards and the Centennials are quick on their heels. So cool! Very nice guns!
The original predecessor of the model 60 was the blued ‘Chiefs Special’, which became the model 36. Then later, the stainless version of it was introduced; named the Model 60. Its not aluminum, but stainless steel (just an FYI; all stainless S&W models start with a ‘6’ ). Just semantics of course, compared to that iconic model 60 and other extremely fine little revolvers. Nice memories returned from this step back in time, for us older folks raised on a diet of wheel-guns.
That model 60 is a steel frame. The ALU is just the beginning of the serial number. That’s a beautiful 60. Not many with the adjustable sights for sure. Very cool. Great collection. Thanks for showing them.
Thanks! I'm partial to revolvers, especially single actions. So much history and who can resist the movement and the clicking. Sounds silly but it's addicting.
Nice collection and you do not see these guns that have never been fired 1957 Shep gave you a shout out so I just found your channel and glad I did you have some awesome gun!
Nice collection. I'm not too big on the Centennials, but those look great. Target sights on a Model 60 HAS to be rare. In fact I don't think I've ever even seen a picture of one. Very nice.
Thanks! I know that feeling all too well =) In addition to selling good stuff, I've also passed up some purchases that I really want to kick myself for.
My father ordered a M40 with a 3” barrel that as a kid never knew the rarity until I joined FB SW page. I’ve sent the paperwork into SW to find out that yes Dad had a unicorn SW M40. Sorry Dad ran rounds threw it, taught me and we taught my son with it. Now after Dad pasted and I know the history of his gun, I will still exercise it just not as much. Not shooting a gun is wrong, enjoy it! Kinda like not doing your girlfriend so the next guy can enjoy her!
That is a very precious and awesome collection sometimes called the lemon squeezer very highly desirable gun yes people complain if you didn't get a good grip on it it wouldn't fire but still a very awesome gun I think the safety strap just need to be extended a little bit other than that a perfect gun very safe to carry
For an accurate and controlled shot, i would hope any gun user would want both hands on the gun and if both hands are properly placed, then theres no inconvenience in the first place.
Great collection. I need a model 40. There’s a model 42 for sale with the box in town... I can’t pay what they’re asking. The right one will come along someday. Thanks for showing them. Have you sold them yet?
What do you guys like better, the Model 40 revolver or the Chief Special(60-1)? I found a Model 40 for $550 and the wood grip is broken toward top, might be able to talk it down a little. Or chief special in pretty good condition for $653. What would you guys get?
You've probably already decided since your post was a year ago, but I personally would go for the 40 because they are harder to find and were only made for a short while because once the shrouded hammer Models 38 and 49 came out, people started buying those because you still had the option for single action and it was snag free so they stopped the 40 until the 2000's and came out with a -1 as part of the classic line.
aren,t all new weapons -proof fired- before market..the front of the cyl of your 40 looks fired. then cleaned after IMO smooth ring around ft of each chamber machine marks flattened by proof round??? or maybe individually polished for gap adj.. i think the rare adj site #60 cost me $350 ea in 70s Dustoff 761
Wow! Were the first three "Lemon Squeezers"? If they are, those guns may be worth a LOT of money. The "Lemon Squeezer" had a grip safety on the back strap that had to be held firmly, in order to fire the gun, like the M1911, hence the nickname "Lemon Squeezer'. I don't know if Smith and Wesson ever brought out a J Frame in that configuration, so it's possible those might actually be I frames. If so, you've got a real treasure there.
Matthew Robinson Not "lemon squeezers" in the classic sense, I believe that the original Smith "lemon squeezers" ended production by the 1940's. These are in fact are "J" frame Smiths. (itself a descendant of the "I" frame,natch!) The grip safety on the "J" frame Is thus a legacy of the "lemon squeezer".
@@WAQWBrentwood you are correct. The original lemon squeezer was the onld safety hammerless. Though people do refer to the original Centennial Model 40's and 42's as lemon squeezers as well. I believe the -1's made in the 2000's with the grip safety are also referred to as that. In the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson it calls them all lemon squeezers.
According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd Edition, the model 40 was numbered concurrently with the model 42, so both guns began using the "L" prefix to serial numbers in 1971. Both models were discontinued in 1974 so you can date them some where in there. As far as the model 60 it says the special run of the model 60-1 with adjustable sights was in 1986. If it was 70s it would have a pinned barrel as they deleted pinned barrel in 1982. I am super late but thank you for posting these beautiful Smiths.
Those are all beautiful! All of them! I'm not super huge on the centennials, they had to grow on me, but I love them now! So cool! I just discovered the other day that the Model 60 had one with target sights on it. Never seen it before that I can remember. I started collecting Smiths about a year and a half ago and I only have 3 right now but I plan on getting more. I have a 4th on layaway right now and can't Wait to get it! The Centennials and Bodyguards (pre 1990's of course) both had to grow on me, but I absolutely love the Bodyguards and the Centennials are quick on their heels. So cool! Very nice guns!
The original predecessor of the model 60 was the blued ‘Chiefs Special’, which became the model 36. Then later, the stainless version of it was introduced; named the Model 60. Its not aluminum, but stainless steel (just an FYI; all stainless S&W models start with a ‘6’ ). Just semantics of course, compared to that iconic model 60 and other extremely fine little revolvers. Nice memories returned from this step back in time, for us older folks raised on a diet of wheel-guns.
A man after my own heart with all those smith wheel guns.
Thanks for the sub and the kind comments! I definitely appreciate it!
That model 60 is a steel frame. The ALU is just the beginning of the serial number. That’s a beautiful 60. Not many with the adjustable sights for sure. Very cool. Great collection. Thanks for showing them.
Gorgeous snubbies. I wish I could find some 1970s snubs in a shop here in Vegas where I live. No one gives them up once they have them though.
What classics. Thanks for sharing 🇺🇸
Thanks! I'm partial to revolvers, especially single actions. So much history and who can resist the movement and the clicking. Sounds silly but it's addicting.
Nice collection and you do not see these guns that have never been fired 1957 Shep gave you a shout out so I just found your channel and glad I did you have some awesome gun!
Awesome S&W collection.
Nice collection. I'm not too big on the Centennials, but those look great. Target sights on a Model 60 HAS to be rare. In fact I don't think I've ever even seen a picture of one. Very nice.
Gold, Gold, Gold and Gold
Beautiful Smiths!
Thanks! I appreciate the view and comment!
Every S&W requires a proof round as part of their final inspection. It generally wont be obvious to the buyer, but it IS part of the factory process.
Thanks for watching and for the kind comment!
Thanks! I know that feeling all too well =) In addition to selling good stuff, I've also passed up some purchases that I really want to kick myself for.
My father ordered a M40 with a 3” barrel that as a kid never knew the rarity until I joined FB SW page. I’ve sent the paperwork into SW to find out that yes Dad had a unicorn SW M40. Sorry Dad ran rounds threw it, taught me and we taught my son with it. Now after Dad pasted and I know the history of his gun, I will still exercise it just not as much. Not shooting a gun is wrong, enjoy it! Kinda like not doing your girlfriend so the next guy can enjoy her!
Great looking J Frames.
That is a very precious and awesome collection sometimes called the lemon squeezer very highly desirable gun yes people complain if you didn't get a good grip on it it wouldn't fire but still a very awesome gun I think the safety strap just need to be extended a little bit other than that a perfect gun very safe to carry
For an accurate and controlled shot, i would hope any gun user would want both hands on the gun and if both hands are properly placed, then theres no inconvenience in the first place.
For the squeezer function
No son solo armas, son arte. 👍👍👍🇦🇷🇦🇷
Thanks for watching!
Great collection. I need a model 40. There’s a model 42 for sale with the box in town... I can’t pay what they’re asking. The right one will come along someday. Thanks for showing them. Have you sold them yet?
Great video
Those are beautiful Smiths.One of the dumbest things I've ever done is sell my mod.60 square butt.That was many years ago. Dumb,dumb,dumb.
It's just my opinion, but I think the wrong one has been fired. I wouldn't be able to resist trying out that blued 40.
Thanks!
Nice!
I know =( It's not easy to hold off on these.
What do you guys like better, the Model 40 revolver or the Chief Special(60-1)? I found a Model 40 for $550 and the wood grip is broken toward top, might be able to talk it down a little. Or chief special in pretty good condition for $653. What would you guys get?
You've probably already decided since your post was a year ago, but I personally would go for the 40 because they are harder to find and were only made for a short while because once the shrouded hammer Models 38 and 49 came out, people started buying those because you still had the option for single action and it was snag free so they stopped the 40 until the 2000's and came out with a -1 as part of the classic line.
You wouldn't be disappointed with either though.
aren,t all new weapons -proof fired- before market..the front of the cyl of your 40 looks fired. then cleaned after IMO smooth ring around ft of each chamber machine marks flattened by proof round??? or maybe individually polished for gap adj.. i think the rare adj site #60 cost me $350 ea in 70s
Dustoff 761
How do you know they were never fired? Just cylinder?
I never fire my nickel plated mod. 40 anymore. Only has 100 rounds thru it at this point!
Wow! Were the first three "Lemon Squeezers"? If they are, those guns may be worth a LOT of money. The "Lemon Squeezer" had a grip safety on the back strap that had to be held firmly, in order to fire the gun, like the M1911, hence the nickname "Lemon Squeezer'. I don't know if Smith and Wesson ever brought out a J Frame in that configuration, so it's possible those might actually be I frames. If so, you've got a real treasure there.
Matthew Robinson Not "lemon squeezers" in the classic sense, I believe that the original Smith "lemon squeezers" ended production by the 1940's. These are in fact are "J" frame Smiths. (itself a descendant of the "I" frame,natch!) The grip safety on the "J" frame Is thus a legacy of the "lemon squeezer".
@@WAQWBrentwood you are correct. The original lemon squeezer was the onld safety hammerless. Though people do refer to the original Centennial Model 40's and 42's as lemon squeezers as well. I believe the -1's made in the 2000's with the grip safety are also referred to as that. In the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson it calls them all lemon squeezers.