Originally Posted by Goony

Those of you who own or have an interest in the pre-39 (as well as the 44 single action) pistols should have a copy of the August 1954 issue of American Rifleman, which contains an article on the impeding introduction of these models (although the 44 turned out to be a dead end). The particular examples illustrated are clearly late prototypes, as evidenced by an extractor configuration that never made it into production as well as a safety lever recess that doesn't go all the way through the slide.

Thanks to Cyrano for bringing this to my attention.