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Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols Other Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols from the 1950's to Present


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Old 09-07-2012, 11:52 AM
WineCaster WineCaster is offline
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Default Help with Model 39 ID

Hello all! Long time follower, first time poster here. Glad to be part of this very helpful and informative forum.. inforumative?

Anyway. My dad gave me his old S&W Model 39 a couple months back. He bought it from a friend who (I assume) was the original owner of this firearm quite some time ago.

I really enjoyed shooting this 9mm, feels great in my hands and looks great too. Only after a few jams during ejection and an issue with the slide did I start researching this gun. The slide won't stay back when the last round is fired which I'm attributing to a weak mag spring from being loaded bedside for 10+ years.

That's a different topic. Here I'm trying to gather information on this gun. There seems to be confusion and discourse with this model which has had different variations and short productions over the years.

I can't tell if it's steel or alloy framed. The serial number is "5959". This is not the 39-2 model. Notice the location of slide "grips" in relation to the safety.

What do we have here, folks?

I can satisfy further picture requests if needed.




Last edited by WineCaster; 09-07-2012 at 11:58 AM.
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Old 09-07-2012, 12:20 PM
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First off, welcome to the forum. The photos are really appreciated.

I not sure what "confusion" you're referring to, as there's not too much in doubt regarding the history of Smith & Wesson's first 9mm automatic pistol.

Yours definitely has an alloy frame. As far as when it shipped, it may have been as early as 1957, but could have gone out the door as late as 1959.

Looks to be a very nice and original example. A wonderful gun to pass down as a family heirloom.
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Old 09-07-2012, 12:24 PM
grif684 grif684 is offline
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It is a very early production model 39, alloy frame, steel slide. Steel frames were, in fact, made first, but were not assembled or sold until much later in the sixties, your 39 dates to sometime in the fifties......I'm sure someone on this forum can give you a better idea as to a more specific year of manufacture/shipping, or you can call S&W customer service and they can tell you....it's a beauty, keep that one......see, Goony already got it in before I finished typing.....

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Old 09-07-2012, 12:42 PM
WineCaster WineCaster is offline
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Thanks for the replies! I'm going to see if a new mag fixes the problems I've been having with it. I'll definitely be keeping it as the original owner was my dad's best friend who's no longer with the living.
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