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Old 04-13-2017, 02:06 PM
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Default S&W 659 - NIB

Just joined the S&W Forum and I'm truly impressed with the invaluable insights provided in each post and each response. Got a question: Just acquired the S&W 659 reflected in the attached pics. All indications are this 659 is NIB/unfired. Would appreciate knowing more about the "bonded ivory" grips that I assume are factory installed.
Thanks.

Peter
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Old 04-13-2017, 02:20 PM
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Welcome to the Forum,
Very nice looking pistol. I have one as well. Only a factory letter will tell for sure if the ivory came on the gun originally. My gut feeling is no, however it's a nice looking combination with the display case. With the amount of aftermarket grips/stocks out there I'm feeling they and the case were add ons.
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Old 04-13-2017, 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 824tsv View Post
Only a factory letter will tell for sure if the ivory came on the gun originally. .... With the amount of aftermarket grips/stocks out there I'm feeling they and the case were add ons.
Agree 100%. Look like add-ons but only factory letter will answer the question.
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Old 04-13-2017, 07:51 PM
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Default S&W 659 - NIB

Thanks, gentlemen. Agree. Request off today to the S&W Historian Roy Jinks for the story on this 659.

Peter
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Old 04-13-2017, 08:18 PM
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Please report back with the information from the letter.
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Old 04-13-2017, 09:19 PM
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Default S&W 659 - NIB

Will do. Thanks for your interest.

Peter
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Old 04-14-2017, 01:08 AM
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Outstanding! Where did you find it?
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Old 04-14-2017, 08:54 AM
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Default S&W 659 - NIB

HCH: Bought it at a local gun show here in Northern Virginia from a collector looking to reduce his arsenal and make a few bucks. $625 - good or bad deal for this NIB 659 in a presentation case with two extra mags?

Peter
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Old 04-14-2017, 09:39 AM
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Default Grips May Well Be Original to M659

Quote:
Originally Posted by Handgunner00 View Post
Just joined the S&W Forum and I'm truly impressed with the invaluable insights provided in each post and each response. Got a question: Just acquired the S&W 659 reflected in the attached pics. All indications are this 659 is NIB/unfired. Would appreciate knowing more about the "bonded ivory" grips that I assume are factory installed.
Thanks.

Peter
For sure, Smith & Wesson offered a lot of grip options for its pistols (and yours is a nice-looking 659, Handgunner).

It's too bad a factory production label apparently isn't available. That little ol' piece of sticky paper would tell the tale and blowing my mind are the number of people who dispose of S&W boxes like so much trash-dump fodder.

Inasmuch as the grips aren't "standard" (in the sense of them being something for which an upcharge likely would occur in their acquisition) I'd find me a screwdriver that as near as possible fits the screws' slot and carefully dismount the grips to look for prospective clues on the underside.

Please be aware that properly torqued grip screws often are seated in such a manner that during the process of unscrewing long-seated screws they'll feel as though they won't break free.

Under that circumstance please don't hyperventilate and don't decide to exert near-limitless power. Doing so sets the stage for a run-amok screwdriver that renders screws butt ugly and/or leaves what will feel like a mile-long gouge on the grip itself.

Just keep applying the steady pressure and they'll come undone. But still, keep a grip on that screwdriver.

One does not wish to needlessly mar what could be factory installed bonded "ivory" for their presence on a pistol as ordered from the factory is rare enough to exert upward price points on the pistol package as a whole.

Lift the grips and look for identifying numbers that may correspond to that M659's serial number. Often used by the factory folks is a black grease pencil and it'll have the latter two or three numbers in the serial number.

For sure inscribing a serial number wasn't a common practice, but you may luck out. The only other problem at that point is that you'll have a pair of grips with some numbers on the inside because the mere presence of numbers doesn't validate anything; only a factory letter can do such.

Inasmuch as factory authentication is $75 per request nowadays, some contrary identification on the grips' inside likewise may save you the cost of learning your grips are aftermarket and not factory original.

Still, I'm glad you're now among us. Remember that the Smith & Wesson Forum is a wholly volunteer effort unassociated officially with the S&W mothership, even though it may appreciate this forum's efforts and participation in it of many of today's S&W experts from around the world.

Thus, please consider joining at the Copper level and/or monetarily contributing in some manner. This site's Webmaster must eat, too.

May you encounter good fortune with your M659, Handgunner!

Later.
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Old 04-14-2017, 10:27 AM
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Nice pistol...I've seen those ivory grips on Ebay, for what it's worth. I bought a 659 last fall at a local gun show and I love it, very accurate, especially single action at 25 yards. I put whiteout on the front sight, which helps, cuz it can shoot better than I can see. Mine came with the box, papers & cleaning tools; it looked like it had maybe one or two boxes of 9mm through it since 1985...I'm sure that you'll be glad that you bought yours...mine came with the black plastic grips...
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Old 04-14-2017, 02:51 PM
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Default S&W 659 - NIB

DCW: Thanks for the suggestion to check the back of the bonded ivory grips for some linkage to my 659. Unfortunately, no markings evident, but this search did affirm that these grips are machined tooled and well made. Will let S&W Historian Roy Jinks provide their definitive story. Also, thanks for the reminder to financially support this Forum. Done that. The value I'm already getting from you Forum members is well beyond my wildest expectations, and I have yet to probe into my recently acquired NIB/unfired S&W 29-2 that is locked in a safe inside a vault.

PJ01452: Thanks for the solution to my problem with the shiny stainless front sight - whiteout; easy to apply and easy to remove.

Peter
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Old 06-02-2017, 11:56 AM
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Default S&W 659 - NIB

A few Forum members were interested in what the S&W Historical Foundation letter had to say about this 659. According to the letter, as several of you opined, the grips and presentation case were both aftermarket additions. The original grips were the standard black plastic. The S&WHF letter did not address my third question about the lanyard loop; that is, was this 659 intended for a military or police end buyer. But, the letter did indicate it was sent to a defense supply contractor in Laurel, Maryland, in April 1983, in a six unit order of this particular model S&W. Interesting facts: the US Army Ordnance Center at Aberdeen, Maryland, which is about 50 miles from Laurel, began testing 9mm semi-autos to replace the aging 1911 late in 1983. Read that S&W submitted 659s for that test, and possibly this group of six were the ones sent. Will probe the Army Ordnance Center for info, and would greatly appreciate any insights from Forum members who may know more of this story.

Peter
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Old 06-02-2017, 12:49 PM
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Default Model 659

I mentioned in my post above that I also have a Model 659. I bought this pistol new in 1982. It also has the rounded trigger guard and adjustable sights and has a lanyard loop. I bought mine from a LGS, so I'm assuming the lanyard loop was standard equipment during the pistols first few years? Interesting story about the Model 659 and testing at Aberdeen. Here's a pic of mine. The original plastic stocks are in the box, I prefer wood.
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Old 06-02-2017, 02:04 PM
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Default Model 659

Agree - the wood grips are handsome against the satin stainless frame. Need to rethink keeping the bonded ivory grips that came on mine. Sounds like our 659s were both produced in the 82-83 years given the round trigger guard and lanyard loop. Mine is in route back to me right now from the S&W factory, due home next week, where I sent it under a recall notice for a malfunctioning manual safety. The factory replaced the sear release lever. If you need the full story on this recall and the specific serial numbers affected, send me a PM.

Peter
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Old 06-02-2017, 02:06 PM
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The serial number on your box is within the recall range.
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Old 06-02-2017, 03:13 PM
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Quote:
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The serial number on your box is within the recall range.
Thanks, I'm aware of the recall. Mine shows no symptoms of the problem.
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