So in my adventures today I came across what has to be an experimental pre39. No model number and a X39 plus a couple of other numbers for a designation. What do I need to look for or know about this thing? Any ideas on pricing or how many there were?


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I'm far from the expert, but if it's marked with something indicating it's a Model 39, it's not a pre-39. S&W didn't know they were going to designate it that ahead of time.

Here's my pre-39, not experimental in the least. Note the short safety and grip w/o the dish-out.

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Psalm 27:2

Where is "X39" stamped? What does the extractor look like? What do the grips look like? Pictures would be an immense help.

I have quite a bit of information about the prototypes, including pictures and factory documentation but I'm on the road for the next week or so without access to the material. However, I think X48 and X49 were the first prototypes of the 9mm Automatic Pistol so I would be wary of X39, especially if it looks like a production gun. Is it possible to get pictures of it?

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

On the subject of factory prototypes, how did factory owned guns end up in the hands of private citizens? I would have thought the factory would want to retain them for their museum.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Hey Chady, come back. You left us hanging!

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

My notes indicate that the first prototype of what became the Model 39, Crafted by Joe Norman and his team in 1948, carried the serial number X-46. There may be others with X-prefix serials, but I'm not aware of them.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I really don't understand why we get these "drive by" posts about potentially interesting guns. This is the 3rd or 4th in the last few weeks. With that rant out of the way....

John, you are correct that X46 was the first 9mm auto pistol prototype. But it was a weird, all steel model that may not even function. It was completed on 10/28/48 and I think it is currently at the CT Valley Museum. Here's a picture borrowed from Richard MacMillan's monograph.

Next came X48 and X49. S&W put together an interesting book about these and here's a photo from that book. They were completed on July 22, 1949 and 12/21/49 respectively.

X39 was an N frame .44 Special revolver.

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

Hello hk, your pre, 1173, looks right as rain. It has all the correct features for an early pre-39. Nice gun. What kind of mag did you rec. with it?

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Mike 2796
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