The Pennsylvania Gun Collectors Assoc. is having their bi-monthly show this weekend in Pittsburgh. I'm thinking about taking one of my "gun shop rescues" a pre 39 Ser. No.22xx. The Ser. number range according to SCS&W started at 1000 and ended at 2600. This is not a steel frame....

All my other Smith autos are all 3rd generation and this 39 doesn't really fit my "collection". I brought it home knowing it was an early gun in great shape and was pretty sure it was worth more than the LGS was asking.......now I've got it and don't know what I want to do with it..keep it.... sell it... trade it ?

It's almost anib....95-98%; in fact not sure if its been fired in the past 56 years since leaving the factory. I'd say this gun spent most of it's living in a sock drawer. No box or tools. Way to nice to shoot.......not to mention the extractor issue with these early guns....

I'm trying to get a value; from what I've found I'm thinking something north of $1,500. A couple of moths ago someone (edit: David Carroll) posted a notice,on the Forum, about an upcomming auction; they had 2 pre 39's in their catalog with I guess was an "estimated value" of (IIRC) $1,850 on each. Looking at the pictures they posted this one is just as nice. So at that price it is a hard gun to trade.....short of a nice 3 1/2 inch 27 !

Not sure how the "auctions houses" work but assume the House gets 15-20%???? Add shipping and Insurance that's $400-500.

Think I'll show it to a couple of dealers I've know for years to get their thoughts.

I'd like to get a other opinions; is anyone going to be at the show?

Any and all input welcome!!!!!

Well just got back from the Show at Pittsburgh Mills. Got 2 long time/respected Dealers and SWCA members to give it a once over. Independent evaluations :
1st. Rated it "'98%"
2nd. Rated it "An easy 97% maybe 98%."

The one guy, Bud Savage from Braverman's, who I expected to see.... wasn't there.

In general just a lot of "stuff"...... a few nice Smiths.....15s 19s and 28s but the prices WOW... anything nice was north of $550...... some Police trades 686s and a couple of 65s.....but no deals here either!

One well worn 39-2 with a .22lr conversion asking $750.....the 39 looked like a $350 dollar gun......rode hard. Guess I should have asked about the .22 conversion. Didn't know there was one.......

I can't imagine one nicer than this and you can see what it brought:

SMITH & WESSON ~ MODEL 39 9mm 1960's Production...STONE COLD NEW IN BOX! For Sale at GunAuction.com

I don't think a pre-39 (unless it is military) brings more than an early Model 39 (no dash) but maybe?

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

From what I've seen a Pre 39 will bring a premium, but not as big of a premium of a steel frame. Then you get into the Pre 39's that were returned to the factory and came back with the same SN's and were model marked. It really depends on how bad you want the pistol and what the prices are in your area. If it is one I need to complete my collection, I would be willing to pay a little more, especially if its in as good as shape as the auction Kwill listed.

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J.D. Roy