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LOT 3575
Smith & Wesson Chief
Designer Joe W. Norman
Factory Presentation
Engraved and Shipped
Serial Number “20000”
Smith & Wesson Model
41 Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Factory
Letter and Box - Serial
no. 20000, 22 LR cal., 7
3/8 inch slab side bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1960,
with the included factory
letter confirming the
pistol’s configuration,
including a 7 3/8 inch barrel,
bright blue finish, walnut grips,
and engraved “J. W. Norman
50 YEARS” on the left side of
the barrel, when shipped and
delivered to Joe W. Norman,
Smith & Wesson’s long time chief
designer, and a 50-year employee,
on August 15, 1960. Norman served
in this position from the World War II
period until his retirement and, in the late 1940s began designing Smith &
Wesson’s line of semi-auto pistols, such as the 9mm Model 39 and the Model
41, both of which entered production in the mid-1950s, as well as numerous
other models. Features fixed Partridge blade front and adjustable notch rear
sights, a three port muzzle brake fitted to the muzzle, company name on the
left of the barrel with the caliber designation on the right side, the engraved
inscription on the left of the slide with surrounding scroll patterns, the Smith &
Wesson trade mark, the company address on the right side of the slide, along with the serial number “20000” above the
model marking on the left side of the frame. Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips. Includes the original Smith &
Wesson blue shipping box with the barrel length on the end label corrected in wax pencil, along with a matching serial
number and “JWN” initials written on the underside in wax pencil.
CONDITION: Excellent as factory embellished for Smith & Wesson’s chief designer Joseph W. Norman, retaining
98% plus original bright blue finish with some limited patches of freckling, along with crisp markings and engraving.
The grips are exceptionally fine with some minor handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
The box is fine with light edge wear.
Provenance: Joseph W. Norman; A Private Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3574
Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum
(Pre-Model 29) Double Action
Revolver with Presentation
Case - Serial no. S171717, 44
Magnum cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib
bbl., blue finish, checkered wood
grips. Manufactured in 1956/1957
with a 4-screw frame and S&W
medallion checkered target grips.
Matching serial numbers on butt
and inside of frame. Comes with
the desirable S&W Magnum black
presentation case and cleaning
rod with two attachments.
CONDITION: Excellent overall,
retaining 98% plus original blue
finish with light cylinder drag line,
minimal handling marks and crisp grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3573
Scarce and Excellent Steel Frame Smith
& Wesson Model 39 Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Box and Factory Letter - Serial
no. 63061, 9 mm Luger cal., 4 inch round
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The Model
39 was the first 9 mm double action
semi-automatic pistol produced
in the United States. Steel frame
models, like this example, were first
introduced in 1954-1955, but not
assembled or sold until 1966, with
only 927 manufactured, per “Standard
Catalog of Smith & Wesson” by Supica
and Nahas. The accompanying
factory letter states the pistol was shipped on
November 7, 1966 and no other information is provided. Comes with
the original box, an extra
magazine, cleaning rod with
attachment, warranty, and
instructions.
CONDITION: Excellent overall,
retaining 99% original finish,
minimal handling wear,
and crisp grip checkering.
Mechanically excellent. The
box is very fine.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
Collector’s Fact
According to "Standard
Catalog of Smith & Wesson"
by Supica and Nahas, only
927 steel frame Smith &
Wesson Model 39 pistols were
manufactured.
LOT 3572
Very Scarce
and Excellent
Smith & Wesson
Model 41-1
Heavy Barrel
.22 Short Semi-
Automatic
Pistol with
Box - Serial no.
A135221, 22
Short cal., 5 5/8
inch slab side
bbl., blue/black
finish, walnut
grips. One of less
than 1,000 Model
41-1 pistols manufactured
c. 1960-1973, with only a
select few produced with
the 5 inch heavy barrel like
this example, as discussed
on page 280 of “Standard
Catalog of Smith & Wesson
3rd Edition” by Supica
and Nahas. Features fixed Patridge blade front and adjustable notch rear sights, the company name on
the left of the 5 inch slab sided heavy barrel and the caliber designation on the right side, the Smith &
Wesson trade mark on the left of the aluminum slide with the company address on the right side, along
with the “A” prefix serial number on the left of the frame and the model designation on the right side.
Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips and a blued magazine with appropriate .22 Short length
limiter installed. Includes an original Smith & Wesson blue shipping box with appropriate end label
markings and matching serial number.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 99% original blue and black finishes with limited handling evidence and
crisp markings. The grips are exceptionally fine with some minor handling marks in the crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000