Q: Noticed in Fjestad price guide the Smith and Wesson model 659 Stainless 4" and the model 669 3 1/2" barrel with the finger extension mag 12rd have an added 30% listed for the 150 "interim" pistol manufactured in 1988' only. Anybody have any details on these pistols..they are both ambidextrous safetys with the screw on the starboard side...of the safety. How do I dertermine the Interim model? Thanks for any info on these guns.. vickersmaster 303

The only "interim" pistols I can think of are the pre-production 3rd gen's with the AIP serial number prefix (but there were a lot more than 150 of them).
There were also the interim transitional models that had the 3rd gen frame but had the three digit 2nd gen model number and some 2nd gen parts, like the slide. There were likely less than 100 of each of those models made and were in the TBV, TBW, and TBY's.

Thanks..my 659's frame is marked TAK and four digits..starting with 8xxx. Rear sight is fixed in the dovetail but no wings covering the sides. D/A S/A..all stainless. 1911 type barrel bushing. End of barrel is not flaired but is fit to the bushing. Thanks again for the ID help.

I have a TBVxxxx serial 659. Is there any way to find a date of manufacture? Is there any way to find a true count of the TBV series? Mine looks like a 5906. Has 2x 15 round plastic bottom mags. I have misplaced the box in a move unfortunately.

It is definately from 1988, no one knows the exact number made, S&W has them recorded as model 659 in their records, and there were true second gens mixed in during the production of these, from what I have been able to find out.....estimates range from less than a hundred to about a hundred fifty.....