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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 10-19-2016, 07:46 AM
Alpina-9 Alpina-9 is offline
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Default Rare 39-2? Need help identifying

I have been a long time lurker here, but this morning I decided to join this forum because I am a huge fan of S&W PC semi-automatic guns so I would like to learn more about them and share a few rare ones from my collection.

My first submission is this strange 39-2. I found this gun at a local gun show, for sale by the original owner, a retired lieutenant colonel, who said these were issued by S&W only to special forces. He was a man of few words, and really didn't tell me much more that that. The metal piece over the ejection port is something I have never seen before--on any gun, let alone a 1rst generation Smith. I asked him what it was, and he said, it enabled the gun to be fired under water? Hmmm. That seemed ridiculous to me, but I said nothing. The price was right, and it came with original box, wax paper, magazines, and paperwork, so I thought, why not, I'll buy it and take it home and research it. One month later, I still cannot find anything about it. So my question is this--what the hell is it? Did I buy a really nice 39-2 LNIB and that's it, or did I buy a really rare variant?


Last edited by Alpina-9; 10-19-2016 at 07:59 AM.
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Old 10-19-2016, 08:18 AM
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Welcome! The part on top of the ejection port is a dust cover, a factory but not standard add-on to this gun.

Regarding military use of S & W semi-autos, I believe there were a few (prototype) model 59s, a double column magazine version of the model 39, that were silenced for use against sentries and guard dogs, hence their nickname "Hush Puppy". This is not one of them; I would guess it will letter as a standard commercial model 39-2. Glad you got it at a good price .
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Old 10-19-2016, 08:29 AM
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Thanks Alan, that makes sense. Does anyone else have a 39-2 with a factory dust cover? Again, I have just never seen another one. I haven't decided if I will keep it or sell it yet. I have a mint second generation 539 that I just love, because simply put, steel frames just do more for me.
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Old 10-19-2016, 08:32 AM
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Maybe you need to letter this one to see how it was shipped and to who.
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Old 10-19-2016, 08:54 AM
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Alan,

I have to disagree slightly. The Hush Puppy pistols that made it to Vietnam (not more than 150) were all based on the Model 39-2. There were prototypes made (only 16) with the double stack magazine but I don't think any of them were deployed. There were also Model 39 pistols (not 39-2) issued to USAF Generals, Navy officers and SEAL teams in standard configuration (no silencers and no dust cover). The Army and USMC got small quantities of Model 39 pistols to test but never issued them.

That story about the dust cover being for underwater use is a real howler.
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Old 10-19-2016, 09:03 AM
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I'm just curious. I've never seen one or heard of one. Does the cover flip open or slide down? Can you show us the other side also and the cover opened if possible?
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Old 10-19-2016, 09:55 AM
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Kevin;

I defer to your knowledge on these - I like the S & Ws with the round rotating thingys in the center .
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Old 10-19-2016, 10:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lonestar57 View Post
I'm just curious. I've never seen one or heard of one. Does the cover flip open or slide down? Can you show us the other side also and the cover opened if possible?
The cover sits still, attached to the frame. The slide moves.
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Old 10-19-2016, 10:14 AM
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I have always been of the opinion to "Buy the gun, not the story". Thats a nice looking Model 39-2. I've never seen the dust cover before.
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Old 10-19-2016, 10:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Model520Fan View Post
The cover sits still, attached to the frame. The slide moves.
They were not popular because they will scrape a lot of blue off the slide if you fire the gun with it in place. There is no need for it as proven by millions of other pistols operating in dusty/dirty environments without such a gimmick. They are neat collector's items, however, and hard to find.
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Old 10-19-2016, 11:47 PM
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Pistols intended for use with the dust cover will have thin grooves on the frame into which the dust cover slides. The slide latch will have the pivot pin about 1/8 inch longer, sticking out the right side of the pistol. The dust cover has an arm with a hole into which the pivot pin fits, to keep the dust cover in place. Dust covers are scarce; i'd really like to find one someday.
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Old 10-20-2016, 09:14 AM
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Cyrano--that's exactly right. It has micro grooves on the frame that the dust cover fits into.

As I said, I bought the gun out of pure curiosity, but I don't really love it because of the aluminum frame. I much prefer my 539, my 5906 Tactical, and my PC semi-automatics, all of which I will share later. I discovered here yesterday that what I have is just a regular 39-2 with a rare dust cover, which was a little disappointing.

Last edited by handejector; 10-30-2016 at 01:59 PM.
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Old 10-30-2016, 11:41 AM
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I didn't see this post until just now, however, I watched it on Gunbroker to communicate with the seller. it is a Model 39 in the 108xxx range, with a -2 added. It has a 39-2 slide with the dust cover.

Could it be factory as shipped, possible but I don't think so. Could it be a 39 sent back for repairs, possibly. A Frankengun, is another possibility.

From my review of it, with no disrespect for the seller, it appeared refinished (as shown with the grips off the under part of the alloy was not painted, as if stripped first and perhaps air-brushed a finish. I also was not completely convinced of the authenticity of the label on the box.

No matter which, the sale price was not significant enough for anyone to be hurt in purchasing it.

My curiosity on this one was peeked as I own a very odd 39-2 way out of sequence on a 39 frame serial number in range with other known single stack 39s except mine is a double stack:

See: Model 39-2 steel frame

Just out of sheer curiosity, if whomever bought this and perhaps "letters" it, please post the findings. Thank you.
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