I have a standard catalog of SW. Supica and Nahas.

The pistol I have been offered is claimed to be a steel frame. However, it is serial number 1085xx. That does not seem right.

Do any of you have any guidance?

Its probably a 539... later model steel frame 39.

First off, welcome to the forum.

That serial number isn't in any of the accepted ranges for the steel framed version of the Model 39. Usually, the alloy frame is readily identifiable by its very black anodized finish which doen't match the appearance of the blued steel slide, but if in doubt, see if a magnet that stcks to the slide will also stick to the forestrap of the frame (removing the magazine just to be sure).

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SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

I have some good pics of the gun if anybody wants to see it. Also, the box label does not say "steel" like some of the bona fide steel gun boxes have.

I have a steel framed 539, great firearm, was an Illinois State Police turn in. That firearm has NEVER malfunctioned once. Are the frames the same dimensionally between the steel frame version and the aluminum version?

Don't want to hijack this thread but I also have a complete parts kit (less the frame) to assemble another 539. If anyone has any idea where I could obtain a frame I would appreciate it. If the frames are the same I wouldn't care if it was aluminum or steel.

I am thinking that the gun I am looking at is a slide off of an old Model 39, it looks like steel, and has the long extractor that goes from the port to the safety. The frame looks like shiny anodized aluminum rather than the duller look of steel.

I still have not seen a good pic of the left side of the gun with the model number imprint.

Don't know where the 539 came from but it wasn't ISP issued. The ISP never issued 539s. We went from 39/39-2 to 439 to 459 to 5904. Always had alloy frames, never issued steel frames of any autos.

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183rd FBINA

I always was under the impression my 539 was a Police turn in but I guess I'm wrong. An Illinois State Police Officer would know better that I. A great firearm none the less.

It might have been a police turn in, just not an ISP turn in.

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183rd FBINA

Thanks fellows. Probably saved me a $1000 mistake. The gun was a 100,000 range. Common 39.