Looking at a 459 with lanyard loop at base of grip and double sided safety and adjustable sights. Have also seen 459s with no lanyard loop at base and several with single sided safety.


Cant seem to find much info on 459 and its variations or current value. GB had a lettered US marked gun go for $400 and another apparently similar US marked lettered gun go $1300 and a couple of hangers on relisted multiple times at $499 and $595 with no apparent interest.

Gunjoker prices are all over the map, some are realistic, some auctions go to high prices either by people who don't know what they are buying or are actually shill bids, and some have a starting bid based on pure fantasy that someone will want it that badly.

The second generation 9mm pistols went through quite a bit of change during their production run. Single sided safety and round trigger guard are hallmarks of early production versions. Later production versions introduced the ugly and bulky ambidextrous safety and a hooked trigger guard, some of the later pistols also have a much smaller extractor. The lanyard loop was made as a part of the main spring housing and was deleted in later production pistols.

Realistic prices will vary depending upon condition of the piece, which finish it has and whether or not it has the adjustable rear sight. In normal times, a Model 459 in excellent condition, one magazine, no box or papers, blued finish, fixed sights, would fetch $350, add about $50 for adjustable rear sight (although lots of people did not like them), add about $70 for factory nickel plated finish. These days, due to panic buying, baseline values have increased dramatically and you are not likely to find any of them with a price tag less than $500.

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So within the 459 model, we have the following variations in 4 years 1984-88:

1. With or Without Lanyard Loop
2. Single or Double Sided Safety
3. Curved or D-shape Trigger Guard
4. Dull or Gloss Finish or maybe Nickle
5. Thin or Thick extractor
and of course
6. Fixed or Adjustable Sights

Look on YouTube
An enthusiast has a comparison between the fbi 459 and civil version.
FBI used one in Miami shootout

Pretty much it, lots of variations in a very short period of time.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA

OK - are any of these (other than the obvious FBI pistols) more desirable than others.

With the 459, factory nickel finish is more desirable. Of all the double stack, full size x59 pistols, the carbon steel receiver Model 559 was produced in the least quantities and nickel plated 559's are the rarest.

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So as far as I can see, there is very little interest in the second generation pistols like the 459 compared to the early 39 and 39-2 and the third generation pistols - the obvious exception being something with a rare pedigree like the FBI guns. Reason???

In my case I'd say aesthetics.

The adjustable sights on most of the 2nd Generation pistols are way too big for the gun.

It just doesn't look right to me. And probably unnecessary.

1st Generation 39's are cool, and the wood grips add to that.The 3913 and 3914 look sleek .
The 2nd generation pistols just look too busy.

JMHO YMMV

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