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Originally Posted by Richard McMillan
The Illinois State Police adopted the Model 39 in 1967 after a two year evaluation process. The agency’s first order of 500 guns were Model 39s, but the followup order of 600 guns was Model 39-2s.
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My inventory number on my 39-nothing is 997 and was one of the first issued in 1968. The inventory numbers were stamped consecutively. When the ISP went to the 39 there were approximately 1700 sworn. The 39 began to be issued in 1967 with everyone getting theirs by 1968. The ISP worked with S&W to make a few modifications to the original 39 design which resulted in the discontinuing of the 39-nothing and production of the 39-2. All subsequent issued guns were the 39-2 when the 39-nothing no longer was being made.
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In 1972, the Illinois State Police placed a third order for 500 of the Smith & Wesson Model 59.
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This is not accurate. The ISP never issued S&W 59. I have seen this quoted on the internet several times but it is not true.
The 39 was issued until 1981 when it was replaced with the 439. The 439 was issued until about mid-80s when the 439 was replaced with the 459. I don't recall the exact year we went with the 459 but it was after Jan 1988. On 01/15/88 some of our agents were involved in a shootout and they were armed with the issued 439. That shootout was the reason for the move to the 459. The 459 was issued for a short time until it was replaced by the 5904.
During the time the 439 was issued until replaced by the 459 those of us on SWAT could carry our personally owned 459s on duty. Non-SWAT Troopers were still required to carry the issued 439.
Below is my issued 39-nothing which shows the modified extractor and the 459 I carried on duty.
