I recently saw an alloy-framed 459 in the white with a 5906 slide assembly. Is is a transitional model or is this a hodge-podge pistol someone cobbled together?

Most likely a hodge-podge.

John

Could be a mix-master. I have thought about trying a 3rd gen top end on my Model 439 for the better sights and lack of the sloppy fitting, removable barrel bushing. As I see it, those would be the reasons for doing such a thing.

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It turns out this is likely a 4590. The chart for this model states that only the box it came in is labeled 4590 but the pistol itself is 459 marked. Transitional pistol from Gen 2 to Gen 3.

"The chart"?

459 transitioned to the 5904 and the 659 to the 5906 but there was no 359 and the 5903 wasn't introduced until 1991 so I guess the 459 as the closest thing. Finish on label is "C" too.

The Complete 3rd Gen Model List

Look for 4590 (pilot)

Thanks. GREAT list. Even has the 5904TSW on it!

I don’t think this is correct. The “4590” would appear opposite from what you described. The pilot/transitional guns had 3rd Gen featured frames with 2nd Gen(ish) looking slides. You would see a three digit model number on frame but with the one-piece Xenoy grip, a pre-Novak fixed sight and a four digit model number on it’s original box end label.

If you are looking at a 459 frame with old style two-screw grips and a 5906 featured slide, that’s a mixmaster.

Nothing bad about it whatsoever, but no collector gun or wild scarce original factory creation.

Like this?

Attached Images

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	4590_TBY39xx_w-box.jpg (97.6 KB, 23 views)
	4590_TBY39xx_lh.jpg (130.1 KB, 21 views)

Its as the picture from SNW19_357 showed, its marked 459 with Gen3 grips and a Gen3 slide.

That is not a 3rd Gen slide actually. The slides with the four lines of S&W information are leftover 2nd Gen slides that have been upgraded with 3rd Gen features such as the dovetail white-dot front sight, pressed in barrel bushing and more 3rd Gen-like finish. Ultimately, the lettering on the 3rd Gens and then obviously the Novak lo-mount rear sight was the evolution of the 3rd Gen slide.

There are other early 3rd Gens that are NOT pilot or transitional guns that also have these upgraded 2nd Gen slides. S&W always used up everything. One of my 3906 pistols has an upgraded 2nd Gen slide and my other 3906 has a Novak-cut 3rd Gen slide. S&W tells me that the two are months apart in birthdate.

These nuances are part of what makes the pistol side almost as fun (collector/chase-wise) as the S&W revolver side. So many odd and interesting bits to be found.

I'm not really sure these were "transitional" since there was no Model 359 to transition to a 5903. These are more of a T&E/pilot pistol that were ordered by some LE Agencies. Stainless was the thing but they wanted the lightweight alloy frame and the 5903 wasn't introduced until 1990.
The SCSW says this product code (104010) was for the Georgia Highway Patrol but I also know of some that went to the Polk County, FL Sheriff's office, the well used one I pictured served with the TX DPS Aircraft Operations Division, and I have one that shipped to GT Dist (agency unknown) and has the smallest night sights I have ever seen.