Someone is selling a model 59 just like this with a two tone finish. His pictures weren't that clear so he sent this picture because it's identical to his and is a sharper image. This gun is local for a FTF inspection. Was this two tone finish a regular option, after market, or something scarce. The wear on the frame makes me think it's a standard alluminum frame. It's $375 with one max. ten round modified (Ca.) magazine. What do you think?

Probably not a factory job, although it might have made the trip back to Springfield for a refinish seeing how "pinto" guns were popular in that era.
Also the guy/gal who owned it might have had it done it just to keep the piece from rusting, which is why the aluminum frame was left alone. I suggest you not down the serial # and give Mr. Jinks a call, he might be able to give you the skinny on this piece. Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

Looks to me like somene changed the slide to a stainless (659) or buffed the bluing off a carbon slide. the slide doesn't appear to have a finish on it. Either way, for me $150-$200 would be the most I would pay for a "beater" 59.

That appears to be a model 59 stainless slide on a model 59 black alloy bottom. My first impression was that it is a parts bin gun. I have 2 M-59's, and they are great guns, but I agree with Broker on the price, if I would be a buyer for it at all. Flapjack.

For the asking price I'd probably pass... that's not that much lower than what you can get a 3rd gen PD trade in for or even a used 1st gen pistol in really good shape.

The M59 1st gen's were never made in a stainless version, that appeared with the 3 digit model 659's, and the adjustable rear sight on the 2nd gen is the same "rabbit ear" style as the 3rd gen... so that slide with the earlier style rear sight is probably a 1st gen M59 that's either been aftermarket nickeled or is polished "in the white"... it's also possible that is a M39-2 slide slapped on, which did come in factory nickel with that style rear sight.

The other 1st gen clue is on frame where the trigger pin is at, starting with the 2nd Gen's S&W beefed up that frame area by extending that thicker section out past the slide stop lever to address reports from some PD's of frame cracking at the slide stop lever hole.

Regular production steel frames also did not make an appearance until the 559/659, so you're right in thinking it's alloy.

Being in CA too, I know how difficult it is to find or even see older model hanguns appearing for sale, so the temptation to buy can be high, but this one as shown is not a factory original and when it comes time for resale, I predict you're going to encounter some difficulty with getting back close what you pay for it.

IMHO, I'd save my bucks for something better down the road... and eventually, better stuff does turn up as it did with my M559 and M39-2.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I was just checking if it was a unique version of a 59. I'm not getting it. I just got this a week ago. After handling this 39-2 that fat grip of a 59, especially with only ten rounds would be rediculous.

I have seen Factory Two-Tone Model 39's which letter, but never a Model 59, but there could have been some made. It is easy to find a complete factory Nickel top end (I have some) and swap out the blue one for a nickel one, as I have done that in the past just for fun/displays at gun shows. Depending if you are looking for a shooter, or a genuine collector's piece should dictate what to pay. Not having the entire information would lead me to say the gun is worth about $250.

Now that's nice. I don't usually care for nickel at all, but I would make an exception for that Model 39! Nice piece Wyatt....... Is that a bumper pad on the spare mag? Don't see bumper pads on 39's much. I think the Pachmayer pads fit them though.

There's no pad on that mag. When I inspected the gun the extra mag. wouldn't seat. When I got it home I found it just need a harder push. I have Executioner bone grips on the way to me right now. Can't wait for those.

Have you seen the pistol in person? Is it really a two tone or does the light in the pic make it appear to be?

There were no stainless 1st gen 59s and the "lollipop" rear sight was gone by the second gen.

In the pic there is a spot on the front of the flat of the slide that looks like holster wear in the bluing which would seem to indicate the slide still has bluing.

Or I could just be completely out of my mind.

WB... I'm curious, is the two-tone 59 you were looking at the one posted on Calguns that just took a price cut to $350?

By the way, that is a very nice 39-2. I'm usually not a fan of nickel guns, but on a 39-2 it really works and I'd buy one in a heartbeat to go along with my blued one.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I see that now, the angle sure made it look like there is a pad on it, optical illusion, I suppose. That will look great with stags on it!

That's the gun alright. It's about twenty minutes away from me.

I see your point about the finish. but the guy's original pic of the actual pistol is a nickel, or maybe a stainless slide. I think the gun looks cool but again, who wants a ten round gun that feels like your hands wrapped around a tree branch. BTW. I haven't even shot my new one yet! ****** weather 'till tomorrow.