I need some help with identifying and determining the value of a S&W 9 mm I own. It is stainless steel and is marked on the frame 659. However it the features of the 6906, i.e grips, ambi safety. I believe this might be a transition model. Serial number range is TBV 1xxx.

The gun is unfired, new in the box with stickers still on it. What do I have and what is it's value as I am considering selling it.

A 659 is full size 4" barrel, 14-15rd mag, grip panels. The 6906 is compact 3.5" barrel 12rd mag, one piece grip. Ambi safety could be had on either.

Thank you handgunner as I am way out of date with correct model numbers for Smith & Wessons. The box is marked Model No. 6590, Caliber 9MM Barrel 4 Features SPECIAL.

The frame is stamped MOD 659. The ambi safety is attached on the right right with a phillips head screw and the front and rear sights are dovetailed in the top of the slide. I purchased the gun new in 1980.

If someone can tell me how to attach pictures I will do so.

Pictures added 2/24/10;

OK that makes sense, if it has the front dovetailed sight then it is a transition gun. A second generation with the third generation upper yet the second generation safety body. A NIB gun might be worth a slight preminum over a like 659/5906 in simular condition.

According the SCSW, the 6590 and 6591 are considered to be transitional models. They were made in 1991 and have some connection to the distributor RSR.

All of these pistols will have a serial number beginning with "RSR" as the prefix with a four digit number afterward.

My model 6590 is marked on the left side of the frame above the trigger with MOD 6590 under the serial number. The markings are laser etchings. The pistol is all stainless with a 15 round magazine.

One of the telling differences in the 6590 over any other S&W auto I own is the barrel bushing is removeable like on an M1911.

The SCSW lists the 6590 as "rare" with 200 - 300 produced. I would suggest unless it's NIB or ANIB, there won't be a huge premium.

I'm not exactly sure what you have, although based upon manufacture dates, I believe your box didn't come with your pistol originally.

Regards,

Charlie

Whatever it is I purchased it new in October, 1980. The serial number on the end of the box and the serial number on the gun match. Product code is 104001. I encountered some hardware problems with my camera so pictures will be delayed until I get it worked out. Thanks for the replies.

Pictures added.

1980! Do you mean 1990?

That is a good-looking pistol and appears to truly be brand-spanking-new!

Thank you for the pics,
Scott

Very nice
Looks like it has a build date of May 1988

According to my sales receipt I purchased it new on 10-10-1980.

I did some more research and found this in 25th Edition Blue Book of Gun Values;

Model 659 Stainless - 9mm Para. cal., similiar to Model 459-only stainless steel, 14 shot mag., ambidextrous safety became standard 1986 39 1/2 oz, Disc. 1988.
Approx. 150 Model 659 "Interim" pistols were mfg. in 1988 only. Add $150 to values listed.

This would match the build date S&Wman gives. The salesman scribbled so badly on the receipt I can only clearly read 10-10-8. 20-30 years ago is a long time to rely on memory so I believe I purchased it on 10-10-88.

Would a letter from Jinks help with confirming it's identity and value?

Thank you for all of the responses.

Your Mod 659 does seem unique. It may not be a true RSR transistional model, but don't forget S&W never threw away older parts during a change. You have what looks like a Mod 5906 frame marked 659 with a dove tailed front site and the older style ambi safety. To the right collector this combination will be worth extra money. Either way you have a nice pistol there in great shape.
The best thing to remember about S&W is that they never always did everything the same way. You have one of those unique guns that aren't normal production models.

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J.D. Roy

There were at least three different 2nd to 3rd gen 'transitional' models to include the "AIP"; the RSR 6590s, etc.; and the ones like BSA's, which had the 3rd gen frame and slide but used up some of the 'left over' 2nd gen parts, like the manual safety body.

Wow! I didn't know about that one.

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N.R.A. BENEFACTOR Member

That's a decent page for reference but it isn't 100% accurate and is far from complete.

Yours is one of the transitional RSRs. It has a 3rd gen frame but a 2nd gen slide. Without seeing the right side, I can't tell if yours has the 2nd (screw) or 3rd (internal plunger) safety lever. Yours has a 3rd gen frame so it will take the same grips as a 5906, etc.

AIP means Automatic Improvement Program and is also the three letter prefix that one of the 'transitional' models carried. This AIP has seen it's share of use...

That is definitely a 3rd gen lever.

Don't know if this helps any here but I have a 659 I purchased new in 1986(?) w/ s/n starting in TAHxxxx. I have the original box w/ product code of 104002. Can take photos later this w/e.

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Bill

Here is my S&W 659 on the bottom,(645 on top) 659 ser.# A8376XX.
Dick

I kind of think it might be pretty close to a 1st.generation by the ser.#
A837689.I looked at the parts sheet and it shows a insert on the back side
of the grip.I have it and the 645 for quite awhile,I think they are top of the line pistols.
Dick

I too have an interim and it looks identical to yours. Mine is a TBV2XXX. I mean exactly the same. Screw on the right side of the safety, the wrap around grip, etc. I too would like to know the history of this one. I just picked it up from a local nearby probably had all of 50 round thru her. Would I need to order a back strap in order to change grips? It looks as though the rubber follows right up the back of the grip.

As long as this thread is being discussed, maybe you can shed some light on a model I have. It has a second generation slide and sights but the frame is definity a third generation as it has the grips of a 5906. It ihas a round trigger guard. It is stamped 5906. It has the third generation safety levers, not the one that has the Phillip head screw. When I inquired from Smith & Wesson about a stamp on the frame,PCSP I was told it stood for Pueblo Colorado State Police. I am curious to know if this would be considered an Interim Model or if the State Police just ordered it that way and the factory was just using up this second generation slides. At any rate , it is a beautiful pistol.

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joseph whitney

What's the first part of the serial number?

It could be a pistol that they returned to S&W for service and it came back with some third gen parts on it. S&W would have reused as many original parts as possible.
...but a 5906 frame wearing out/damaged?

I believe some pictures are in order.

You have a very nice pistol that would be worth alot to someone if you sell it,but if you dont need the money and have room in the safe I would say keep it as it is a nice example of a transitional gun.

__________________
The Lord cometh and right soon

I found one of these locally about a year back. Like yours it was in immaculate shape, but unlike yours it did not included the box. I wanted it but didn't have the spare cash, they wanted $400 for it.

I know this is a old thread but I have a MOD 6590 that I have never fired. I purchased it many years ago and put it in a safe and forgot about it. It has a serial number that starts with RSR and four numbers the first number being a 2. Gun is stainless steel and the black plastic grip wraps around the back of the handle. The model number and serial number are laser etched.

I though I should go to the range and fire it but can not find the manual and didn't want to fire it since I don't know how to strip it down for cleaning without the manual.

Anyone have any suggestions on where to get a manual? I can not find anything on this gun on the S&W site. From what I have read on this site it appears that there were very few of these made but I find it surprising that there is nothing on the S&W site.

I recently purchased a 659 as well, no manual, but this one (S&W_Metal_Frame_Autos_Manual_05_30_11.pdf) on the s&w site seems to cover it.

This is a transitional 659, it is essentially a 5906 marked as a 659. The 6590 model is also essentially a 5906, so you should use the third gen (5906) manual.....field stripping is exactly the same....

Attached Images

20120921_015115.jpg (103.2 KB, 189 views)

Thanks for the assistance. I downloaded the manual
S&W_Metal_Frame_Autos_Manual_05_30_11.pdf and it appears to be what I need. Hopefully I will get sometime this weekend to try to field strip it. If that works out I really need to schedule a trip to the range. Haven't been out shooting since I left Alaska and I don't want to say how long ago that was.

Actually the smartest thing may be to take a gun class first to refresh myself.

I also have a TBV2xxx serial 659 that seems to be a transition model. There are lots of people that dont really know about these pistols. Does anyone know how many of these were actually made? I called S&W and the born on this one is October 1988. A member of the S&W Collectors Association valued it at $600. It has 2 rubber/plastic baseplate 15 round mags that came with it. I had the bos but it was lost in a move at some point.Very good condition.

Interesting thread. I too have a 659, not sure of transitional status. What I'm curious about is a couple of differences I keep seeing in all the pictures. In particular, the trigger guard, round vs. square and the rear sight, simple vs the wings (?name) on the side.

Any ideas why the difference? Mine has the round trigger guard and simple rear sight.

The early 659 models have a round trigger guard, it was later switched to square. You have an early fixed sight version, the "winged" rear sight is the factory adjustable sight....both round and square models could be had with either sight....

I recently bought a used s&w mod 659. I tested it to see if it needed to be sent in for the recall. It does but does anybody know what this condition causes if I don't get it fixed? Will it be dangerous to operate the way it is?





6906 469 cs9 cs9s 915 659 3913 3914
10 65 36 65 36 65

Thanks Charlie,

I also have a 6590 with the RSR as part of the serial. bought it back in the early 90's when I was stationed down in Ga.

I only have one mag for this pistol and was wanting to get another but don't see any part numbers on the mag or what Mag is compatible with the 6590 ?

Thanks again.