I have a nickle model 39 that was given to Fred Miller upon his retirement from S&W. It is so inscribed on the slide.

I am sure that if a worker back in the day wanted to get parts out of the factory and assemble a gun at home it was doable. These folks were talented craftsmen and I am sure that they would have had no problem altering a metal lunchbox or thermos to conceal what they needed to get by the guards or metal detectors. Not saying that anyone did, just saying that it was most likely possible.

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James Redfield
LM #497