Smith & Wesson Model 41 .22 LR SR-71 Pilot Survival Pistol 1967 C&R
SOLD FOR: $5,404.00
LSB#: WY250405JW013
Make: Smith & Wesson
Model: 41
Serial Number: 78009
Year of Manufacture: 1967
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Single Action, Magazine-Fed
Markings:
The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON.” The right side is marked “.22 LONG RIFLE CTG.” The right side of the frame bears the standard four-line S&W Springfield, Mass. address. The serial number “78009” appears on the frame and underside of the slide.
Barrel Length: 5″, factory heavy barrel, factory threaded for suppressor use
Sights / Optics:
This pistol is fitted with an extremely rare Oxford white-dot illuminated front sight, installed by Art Cook, Olympic gold medalist in smallbore rifle (London 1948) and renowned government gunsmith. Cook was known for high-level precision firearms work for U.S. military contracts during the Cold War, and developed custom mounts for the Oxford sight used in these pistols. The rear sight is a micro-click adjustable square notch.
Stock Configuration & Condition / Grip:
The grips are checkered walnut target stocks without medallions, correct for this contract variation. The grips show only light wear and remain in excellent condition with crisp checkering.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion or fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its original finish. There is faint operational wear and light thinning on high edges, but the finish remains rich and deep. The factory slide lock and threaded barrel are intact. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall, this pistol is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol includes the factory-installed slide lock, designed to allow silent suppressed operation by preventing slide movement after each shot. The trigger is crisp and responsive. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories:
This pistol includes an extra original magazine, along with a highly desirable set of factory and historical documentation:
Factory letter from Smith & Wesson historian Roy Jinks confirming government contract details.
Copy of the original factory invoice documenting the 1967 sale.
Copy of the original serial number list for the contract batch of 30 pistols.
Smith & Wesson factory schematic/manual.
Additional original S&W historical paperwork related to the contract order.
Provenance:
This pistol comes from the esteemed collection of Kevin Williams, respected firearms historian and author of U.S. General Officer Pistols: A Collector’s Guide. Williams is known for curating exceptional military sidearms with elite provenance.
Our Assessment:
This is an extraordinary example of Cold War weapons history—one of only 30 specially configured Smith & Wesson Model 41 pistols ordered by the U.S. Air Force in 1967 for use in SR-71 Blackbird pilot survival kits. These pistols were factory-modified with threaded barrels, slide locks, and shipped with suppressors and extra magazines, intended to provide stealthy defense and foraging ability in the event of an ejection behind enemy lines.
What sets this pistol apart is its factory-fitted Oxford white-dot illuminated sight, a cutting-edge innovation for its time, installed by Olympic gold medalist Art Cook, who was responsible for precision military modifications under contract. Cook’s involvement, paired with the factory’s precision and the pistol’s purpose-built configuration, makes this one of the most unique .22 pistols ever issued by the U.S. government.
Legend holds that the SR-71 survival kit included everything from gold coins and escape maps to a suppressor-equipped pistol and even prophylactics—a mix of real tools and Cold War gallows humor. But this pistol was no joke: a quiet, accurate, and discreet sidearm paired with the most advanced aircraft of its era.
With its correct features, retained factory modifications, Oxford sight, extra magazine, and exceptionally rare full documentation package—including the original serial list and invoice—this is a once-in-a-lifetime offering. Its provenance from Kevin Williams further seals its place as an elite collectible for those who seek the intersection of high-performance firearms, military secrecy, and Cold War aviation history. So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition of the item in our high-quality photos. Good luck with your bid. -K.F.
