[LDBennett]

mgag303:

In general, collectors like the older guns because the finish is more polished on the older ones. Some of the older guns have a loaded chamber indicator not on the newer ones. The 1992 gun you are looking at was made right about the time that S&W changed to a duller blue job rather than the highly polished blue job of the much earlier guns. If both guns have the same finish then they are before that finish change. My Model 41, purchased in 1993, has the duller finish and a laser engraved serial number. Earlier gun have a stamped serial number.

While it is tempting to buy a new Model 41, the cards are stacked against doing that. S&W stopped production of it and only promises that it will come back but so far that has not been the case. Any new one still in dealers hands probably was made about a year or so ago as S&W has not been delivering any Model 41's for about that long. All of this may have changed by now but if it is new you want, have your dealer see if he can even get a new one from any distributor or S&W direct before you pass on the used ones.

That leaves you with the choice of the two used ones. Personally I'd choose the one that is in the best shape unless there is the finish difference (dull finish vs. highly polished) then I would go for the older one as it will keep its value longer thanks to collectors. I know of no differences, except for the loaded chamber indicator, between all the years going back to the introduction of the gun in the 1950's. Maybe a collector of Model 41's can expand on that (??). Condition should be your guide in this choice.

LDBennett